I first started getting interested in saxophones about the time of the Mk7 and I picked up an interesting Selmer leaflet on their new Mark 7. It includes colour photographs of the Mk7 alto and tenor and then on the back has pictures of all the other sizes (nino, sop, bari to low Bb, bari to low A and bass) but without saying whether they should be called MkVI or something else. They are clearly MkVI in style.
The text inside the folded leaflet is interesting as it describes what makes a Mk7 what it is. Here is a quick extract:
The "MARK 7"
The increasing importance given by SELMER Paris to research, allied to close cooperation with many professional players, who together with our technical advisor have made it possible for us to create a new MARK 7 dynasty. This new model is the result of many years development and endeavour to achieve the ultimate both in quality and performance.
The most important new development of the MARK 7 is the improved quality of sound which incoporates these features:
- Rich, full tone
- Homogeneity
- Improved exactness and balance
- Easy and consistent blowing
- Great sound volume
To these acoustical qualities, improvements in mechanisms and keys have been added which, thanks to even smoother operation, increases still further the player's ease on the instrument and subsequently will improve his technical possibilities.
- New octave key mechanism, making its operation even more precise
- C and Bb bridge keys (fork driven)
- Functional location of the stack left hand little finger spatulas allowing easier shifting from B to Bb and low Bb
- Modification in the height of the D, D# and high F spatulas
- F and high F# spatulas allowing quicker fingering techniques
- New shape for the C/Eb Right hand little finger spatulas
- Brace ring strengthening the rigidity of the body-bell assembly. (Three screw mounting pictured)
The three Mk7 baritones pictured on/from this thread so far seem not to have any of the improvements to mechanisms and keys stated by Selmer to be relevant to their "new Mark 7 dynasty". So even with M7 on the neck shield and/or Mk VII on the bow ring, they seem not to be fully qualified members of the dynasty.
I have tried contacting Douglas Pipher over on SOTW about these horns as he has access to Selmer factory records so may be able to provide some more information. Unfortunately he hasn't been sighted on SOTW for some months, so there may be no reply.
Rhys