Artikel: Conn 12M Transitional

General description : Normally I´m not putting horn on my website that are not in playing condition, but because this is a very special horn (and in great condition) I made an exception.
Here we have a very rare Conn 12M Transitional baritone saxophone. It was built mid-1929, serial number M227981. This is horn from the so-called Gerry Mulligan era. Lots of info on Gerry Mulligan and his Conn baritone saxophones can be found online. Most important: Gerry played a Conn baritone with serial M226xxx during most of his career. So his bari was manufactured only a couple of weeks before this one. So far: so good…. But now comes the interesting part: Gerry´s horn had the split-bell keys, and this one has the keys for low B and Bb on the right hand side, like the later 12M model. But both horns have NO sculptured high E key! The screws are the old-type screws, same as the ChuBerry horns. It has the fingernail G# key on the left hand pinly plateau. No ladyface engraving, but a nice flower engraving (almost identical to the tenors and alto´s).
So I wonder: is this bari probably the first bari with the 12M-style keywork, or maybe a special order? I cannot find pictures of any Conn bari´s between serial 226xxx (Gerry´s bari) and 245xx (introduction of the sculptured high E).
Info from a fellow player: Conn baritone serial M234559 has the same features as this one, so no 12M stamp, lowB and Bb on the RH side and no sculptured high E. It was built around Oct 1929, shortly before the Great Depression.

Condition : This bari is currently not in playing condition: it needs a regulation only. The pads look great and have a rivet only, no resonators. My workshop is closed, so I cannot do any work on this bari anymore. That´s why the price is so cheap…..
About the lacquer: this horn looks amazing. I´m pretty sure this horn was relacquered (as the keywork is nickel plated also) but an excellent job was done here. Both the bell engraving as well as the serial number info look crisp-sharp.
This bari has some issues, of course. Nothing serious, but I´ll mention them anyway so you know what you´re getting….
The keyguard for mid F# is missing. There´s a dent on the low Eb keyguard. The bow is perfect: no damage. Same for the goos neck: no dents. There are a couple of dings on the lower body. The bell rim is dented slightly. The body is straight and the tone holes are original. The neck and the case are original. There´s a resolder on the post for low C#/G#. The X-brace has been pushed in on one side.
All these can be seen in the pictures.

Level : professional.

Body :  Relacquer
Condition : very good / minor wear and tear.
Visual : Minor dents / dings / scratches / lacquer wear.
Repairs : solder repair on post low C#/G#
Engraving : well visible bell engraving, crisp sharp.

Keywork : nickel plated.
Condition : very good / minor wear and tear.
Pads : good condition, with rivet only.

Neck : Lacquered.
Condition : very good, with minor wear.

Case : original Conn case, with Conn logo. 
Case condition : good / normal wear and tear. Lyre holder is included.

History : No history available, from auction in the USA.