Description of the Lawton-Barton Design
Externally, the shape of Lawton-Barton pieces was quite similar to the later Lawton pieces, but differences include:
Bite plate inlay circular
Reed cover open-ended
No lettering on the ligature screw thumb wheel
“Lawton-Barton” marked in italic script on top
Internally, there is a low baffle sloping down into the chamber which has a square shape with flat sidewalls and an arched throat stepping down into the bore.
Mouthpieces were marked on the end of the table with a circle inside which is the tip opening in thousandths of an inch and a letter (usually/always “M”).
Lawton-Barton Baritone
Notes
Sizes Available Lawton-Barton mouthpieces were only sold for baritone and tenor saxophone. There was a choice of three tip openings for baritone and four for tenor (see Measurements).
Design Inspiration The internal design of the Lawton-Barton was possibly influenced by a special open-lay metal baritone mouthpiece made by Santy Runyon in 1945 for Charlie Fowlkes.
Slide-on Ligature as for Lawtons The slide-on ligatures for Lawton-Barton mouthpieces are interchangeable with those supplied later for Lawtons: they have the same dimensions for the grooves.
Unbranded (transitional ?) Mouthpieces There are some similar or identical mouthpieces without Lawton-Barton or Lawton brand names marked on them, but with all of the same features including the tip opening stamped on the table. It seems likely that these were completed and sold in the transition period prior to the launch of the Lawton brand in October 1965.
Lawton-Barton Tenor (no lig)
Unbranded Lawton-Barton Baritone
Unbranded & Lawton-Barton Baritones Compared
Lawton-Barton & Lawton Baritones Compared