Detailed Normandy Model History

The first Normandy model is commonly referred to as the "Original Normandy". It incorporated several cost-saving design features such as a shared post for the throat G# and A keys, three sets of posts for the trill keys, and a composite, rather than wooden, bell. Unlike later low-priced offerings in the Normandy lineup, the Original model featured inline "jump" trill keys.

The Original Normandy had a logo with a narrow shield with a diagonal "Normandy" in a narrow script font with serifs on the first and last letters. The instruments were also marked "MADE IN FRANCE" at the top of the joints, barrel, and bell.

Most of these instruments are encountered with unplated German silver keywork, but some are known with bright nickel plating. The body and barrel of the Original Normandy can be found in unstained and black-stained finishes.

THE NORMANDY SPECIAL

Introduced sometime later than the Original Normandy was the Normandy "Special". As a further cost-saving measure, the "Special" was equipped with angled, Buffet-style trill keys, mounted on three sets of posts. Throughout the Normandy model run, Normandys with the Buffet-style trill keys were offered at lower prices than otherwise-identical Normandys equipped with inline trill keys.

Some Specials can be found with the shared post for the G# and A throat keys as used on the Original Normandy, but most were made with separate suspensions for the throat keys. As with the Original Normandy, the Special was equipped with a composite bell.

The Normandy Special had the same logo as the Original Normandy, with "SPECIAL" stamped above the Normandy shield on the upper joint. This logo was not used on later generations of Normandys with Buffet-style trill keys. The instruments were also stamped with "MADE by NOBLET" at the top of the upper joint.

Normandy Specials are commonly found with bright nickel-plated keywork, but some were made with unplated German silver keywork. Some Specials with silver-plated keywork have also been reported.

THE NORMANDY 11

The Model 11 is identical to the Normandy Special, but constructed out of a heavy, rather brittle composite. The keywork features Buffet-style trill keys mounted on three sets of posts, and throat G# and A keys mounted on separate suspensions. The composite used for the Model 11 is dark brown and not glossy.

The Model 11 was inscribed with the Normandy shield with serifs on the "N" and "y." Early Model 11 clarinets exhibit the narrow Normandy shield and are inscribed "MADE IN FRANCE" at the top of the upper joint, while later examples show the wider Normandy shield and are inscribed "MADE by NOBLET" above the Normandy logo at the top of the upper joint.

The Model 11 was equipped with unplated German silver keywork, as found on the Original Normandy and some of the Specials.

This was a short-lived model. By 1958, the USA-made Normandy 14 Reso-Tone had been introduced.

THE TRANSITIONAL NORMANDY

The next evolution of the wooden-body Normandy was the "Transitional" model. It featured the same inline trill keys mounted on three sets of posts as with the Original Normandy, but seperate mounting posts for the throat G# and A keys.

The Transitional Normandy is found with unplated German silver keywork and bright nickel-plated keywork. Examples are known with composite and wooden bells. The narrow Normandy shield with serifed "N" and "y" was used on these models. The instruments were also marked "MADE by NOBLET" at the top of the upper joint.

NORMANDY 5, 7, and 10

By the middle-to-late 1950's, Normandy models 5, 7, and 10 had been introduced. The keywork on these models were identical and lacked the simplifcations found on earlier Normandys--the inline trill keys were now mounted on four sets of posts, and the throat keys each had their own separate suspensions. The Normandy keywork had now evolved to the point of being very close to that of the Noblet.

Models 5, 7, and 10 differed only in the composition of the barrel and bell. Initially, the Model 5 was equipped with a composition "Tone-Brite" barrel and bell; the Model 7 had a wooden barrel and composite bell, and Model 10 featured a wooden barrel and bell. All have bright nickel-plated keys, while both black-stained and unstained finishes can be found on the body. The wide Normandy logo with serifed "N" and "y" and the word FRANCE underneath the shield was used on these models.

Model 5 disappeared from the Normandy lineup by 1961, replaced by the Model 7 which was then equipped with a "Tone-Brite" composite barrel and bell. This iteration of the Model 7 was gone by 1966. Early Model 7 and Model 10 Normandys were not stamped with a model number, but by 1966 the Model 10 was marked with a 10 on the upper joint above the wide Normandy shield.

A c.1962 brochure lists the Normandy 7 at a price of $172.50 and the Model 10 at $182.50. In 1966, the Normandy 10 carried a list price of $189.50

Serial number analysis shows that the Model 10 remained in production until at least 1967.

NORMANDY 5P

The mid-to-late 1950's also saw the introduction of the Model 5P. This model was equipped with plateau keys throughout. Unlike the standard Model 5, which had inline trill keys, the 5P was equipped with the Buffet-style trill keys mounted on three sets of posts.

The body and barrel of the 5P were wooden. Early 5P models were equipped with was composite bells, but by around 1962 these had been changed to wooden. The keywork was nickel-plated.

In 1960, the Normandy 5P had a list price of $159.50. A c.1962 brochure shows the 5P, now upgraded with a wooden bell, offered at $200.00 list.

By 1964, the Model 5P had been replaced by the Model 10P.

NORMANDY 14