Scam/Fake? The NWII Faked Lady returns

[Tuppertn]

This horn showed up for sale on Ebay in January 2023 for over $2500. It looks like it was listed at least one other time after that for an equally ridiculous price. It's definitely NOT original given that this is a fairly early NWII from 1925.

Conn NWII with Naked Lady engraving on Ebay

The price is much better this time around, but still a bit optimistic. The listing pics are new and the seller is different.

It was briefly discussed over at the other forum, but there was no consensus. Done at the factory during a relac?

SOTW thread

It's not "good" but someone did spend a good bit of time on it. Why bother? Is it a factory re-engraving or amateur copy? What say ye?

 

[Pete Thomas]

What say ye?

Now we know what inspired the Connfirmation engraving

 

[PigSquealer]

This is a mess technically. Artistically someone may a nice attempt to upgrade the horn. That’s not easy work for a DIY or beginner with some experience. This doesn’t look like factory workmanship. Fake no. Like copy, yes.

At the listing price it should play. Project Conn Chu’s in silver plate sell around $325-$400 depending on condition & case.
The listing states “ sax and neck cleaned in ultrasonic tank”.
***
The sax will need a few springs
some rollers are stuck
pads are older u may get by with a partial repad
center stack keys will need new pads 4 sure
keys are free as the ultrasonic tank works wonders...then blew dry with warm air for @6 hours to completely dry
those ultrasonic tanks work wonders
***
I’m not sure what area is the “center stack”.
Six hours to dry an assembled sax after tank cleaning ? Yeah, it’s ready to see a bench.

The existing engraving probably looked like this.

Chronnological Gallery 200000-224999 - CONNsortia

connsortia.site

Another clue is the “USA” being in the wrong location.

The Many Faces of Lady M - CONNsortia

The iconnic Conn ‘naked lady’. So familiar to many. But have you ever looked really close at her? From small detail changes to hairstyle evolution...

connsortia.site

 

[Targa]

The lady herself looks rather different compared with that shown at the top of the page.
The expression suggests she is somewhat displeased with what the plastic surgeon has done to her attributes.

 

[Tuppertn]

Another clue is the “USA” being in the wrong location.

Exactly. The Elkhart-IND, too, should be running diagonally up from the proper USA location. But those spaces are there like they used an overlay or stencil for the design then just engraved some random lines in there.

 

[eb424]

phew just bought a tenor 1933 on e bay...Wooooorried....