Couesnon

The Firm was established in 1882 by Amedee Auguste Couesnon adopted child of P.L.Guatrot which was one of directors of Guatrot-Durand et Cie. also appreciated musical instrument craftsman, maybe one of best Sax rivals.
However Couesnon Company was established again in 1931 as “COUESNON S.A.”, as a kind of fusion of any small manufacturers and wind musical instruments workshops, including for example the “Association Generale des Ouvriers” or other Craftsmen as Feuillet, Guichard, Lecomte, I.Lot, Massi et Thibouville, Marquet, and still others.
In a first time saxophones production wasn’t very important, Couesnon seems more directed on brasswinds production, however it seems be a gap between early models and models made from ’35 when appears early saxophones with own Patent firm.
Particularly from collaboration with “Dolnet&Pigis” was born a first patent on saxophones (Pat. March 11 1888) with an improved mechanism for:
passage between F – F# key and closing G# key ;
exclusive closing and producing low Bb;
new positioning of Eb key;
Improving for G# trill key;
Extension of range to high F.

FIRST SERIES (1882-1936 ca.): it doesn’t know exactly Couesnon serial numbers, but these models included instruments with various inscriptions or engravings as: “monopole”, “armee”, sometime “Opera”, “National”, “universel”, “model SO”.
The instruments Dating on many models (including Brasswinds) you can see from a little number inside a small pineapple engraved on bell.
Technique characters are similar to 1888 patent.

From 1937 appears a different address on instruments engravings, “COUESNON SA, 105 rue Lafayette”.
“MONOPOLE” SERIES I Models (1937-‘49ca._from 1 to 82xx):
The new foundation in 1931 introduces also new building elements on saxophones.
Now there are a “rolled Tone holes” system according better productions in these years.
Now the Keys-Bell are positioned on right side not on left; there’s also an original Key-guards design which goes for all sax-body on bell and down.
Serial numbers also restarted from “1”.
“MONOPOLE” SERIES II (1950-’80 ca.):
Saxophones production is slightly poor relating with previous Monopole Series, really these models are very similar to Monopole I except for a new improved Neck.
Probably Couesnon ended his production at the half of 80’s.