Dating a King 3b/2b

[NoahDavis4444]

I recently bought a King on ebay. The bell is a 3b bell and seems to be maybe 70s or 80s but I can't find a serial number on it anywhere. The seller said they had the slide measured and it's 0.491 bore making it a 2b slide. The serial number on the slide is 1873. After looking up serial numbers for Kings online I really doubt the slide is from the 1890's. Any input on this would be great!

[NoahDavis4444]

Here are some pictures.

[NoahDavis4444]

Here are some additional pictures with the slide.

[BGuttman]

King used those 4 digit numbers as part numbers. You should have a 6 digit number as the serial. When King reached 999999 they started over at 100000.

I doubt it's a 2B slide -- it wouldn't fit a 3B bell. But a 2B+ slide (0.500") would.

[NoahDavis4444]

Ok thanks! Where would this 6 digit serial number be? I can't seem to find one anywhere.

[greenbean]

That bell section if from the 1970s. The serial number should be on the bell receiver (on the bell section). And, as Bruce noted, the 4-digit number on the inner and outer slides was a production number to keep parts straight. There is no relationship between it and the serial number.

[NoahDavis4444]

Here are some pics of the receiver. I've looked all over this horn with no luck

[Burgerbob]

Both of my '70s "loopy" 3Bs have a serial on the bell section at the slide receiver, left side (like your last photo). It doesn't look like it, but maybe that part was replaced.

[NoahDavis4444]

Thank you guys. Any ideas on the slide? I can take more pictures if needed.

[Burgerbob]

Could be original, I think they only added the orange lacquer to those in the '80s.

[NoahDavis4444]

Ok last question I promise. What would be the best way to clean it? It obviously hasn't been cleaned in a long time and the standard warm bath isn't cutting it.

[Burgerbob]

Warm bath, soap, snake should get most of the nasties. If the upper slide tube looks nasty after that, it's time for a chem clean.

[NoahDavis4444]

Thanks for all the info Aidan!

[Burgerbob]

Thanks for all the info Aidan!

[djkennedy]

It’s post HNWhite
Post earliest Eastlake
That bell engraving is after the loopy
After 4 digit small numbers on bell side of
Receiver
Case type also
Green interior
Blue w black rubber ends
Leather ends earlier

[greenbean]

Right, the earlier (and hipper) green-interior cases were replaced by this one in the late 70s, I am pretty sure. I don't know how far into 80s they used it.

[NoahDavis4444]

Thanks guys! I did some heavier cleaning and some polishing today so it's looking pretty good!

[djkennedy]

Some techs use white vinegar soak
As their chem clean
From your bell pix and case
Your BB is post loopy and towards
The last of the hand engraved bells
No serial number
MAYBE ITS A CHINESE COPY