Is this one of the first Artleys?

[Kpassa]

I found an Artley Symphony serial # 109910 at a yard sale yesterday. The body is in good condition, no dings, but it looks like it would need a complete set of pads
to restore it back into playable condition. The little bit of research I have done leads me to believe (from the serial number) that it was made in 1952. However the same research finds that Artley was around in the 1930's. So did they just start using serial numbers in 1952 or did they spin off as an independent company in that year? Would this model be solid silver or just a silver head joint? I paid very little money for it but I when I bought it I thought of giving it to my daughter, who played flute for 5-6 years before giving up on it, as a present. Would it be worth restoring or should I just give it to her as-is so she could use it as a display piece, throw it out, get it restored herself, etc.? Thanks for any info.

[pied_piper]

The serial number charts that I have seen show that serial number as being made in 1963. The Artley Symphony model is a very slight upgrade from their student models. Some, but not all of the Symphony models, had a sterling silver headjoint on basically a student model body. If it was restored to playing condition, it's not a bad flute, but not a great one either. Artley is not popular brand these days. Even in good, playable condition, it's probably worth less than a $100. In most repair shops, a complete repad to put it in playing shape will cost anywhere from $250 and up. You do the math...

[fluteguy18]

When I was in my high school marching band we had several Artleys that wouldn't play. After looking at them for a while I realized that all of the parts were interchangeable (same model). I took them all apart, and made a flute that would play.

It's name was Frankenflute.

That's what we did with our Artleys.

[Kpassa]

I see now how you came up with 1963. It would definitely need a rebuild, which doesn't seem very practical. Perhaps I'll just polish it up and give it to her as a gag gift, the perfect flute for someone who doesn't play anymore

Thanks for the useful info.