G# key cover?

[djarossens]

Hello, I'm trying overhaul a 1931 Kohlert sporano and the G# key is a sort of oval (like a running track) and was covered with some sort of black (black?) inlay I guess to match the rollers on the adjacent keys. Any idea what this would have been and where I can get something to use in its place please?
Thanks

 

[thomsax]

Thank you all for your input and ideas, on closer inspection is does look like bakelite held in with shellac. I will try and fabricate a cover from an old mouthpiece to look like the rollers. All the held and advice much appreciated.

Sounds good. Follow your own ideas and instinct. We can swap G# key if you want. You get mine with a pearl and I get yours with an empty space. But we must do it correct, via Yard Sale. No money, just do a donation that we split "50/50".

Good luck with your Kohlert soprano.

 

[Dibbs]

Thank you all for your input and ideas, on closer inspection is does look like bakelite held in with shellac. I will try and fabricate a cover from an old mouthpiece to look like the rollers. All the held and advice much appreciated.

Even if it's not identical it will at least be correct for the period and much better than replacing it with a modern material imo.

 

[thomsax]

Even if it's not identical

It's easy to make it more identical ..... I just remove the "pearl".

But there can be some differences ...

 

[djarossens]

Hello, thanks to all for the input and help, I finally ordered a wafer of Mother of Pearl from Mother of Pearl Flat Blanks for Guitar & Luthier Supplies, Mother of Pearl Blank Suppliers. in the UK as I was struggling to find large enough pieces on the sax sites I normally frequent. Happy to say the cutting, gluing and polishing went well. Now I need to figure out the thread size for the roller rods as these need to be replaced, (the rollers were seized and I have damaged the rods in extracting them) I'm guessing a 2-56 thread but I have ordered a gauge that I hope will help me figure it out a bit better.

 

[PigSquealer]

Good job ! Looks nice.
Are the roller pins those pictured? They don’t look that bad. Measuring length of 3 mm with a thread gauge is challenging. You may have some luck just dressing the areas needed with a pass of a jewelers file. Polish while spinning in a drill motor with some fine steel wool . Gently brush the threads with a toothbrush.