Updates to History:
Elkhart BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY was always a subsidiary of Buescher. It has nothing to do with Martin.
The company was established in September 1919 by CD Greenleaf of CG Conn Ltd and AH Beardsley of Miles Labs. In 1916 both of these men lead a consortium to buy control of Buescher.
In 1922, Elkhart Band Instrument Company trademarked the Elkhead logo and began manufacturing on Main St, but only saxes.
In 1923 Elkhart moved to Plum St.
In 1927 Elkhart began adding more band instruments to their line, lat in the year. Serial number changed to ####-Yr <

THIS IS A STENCIL ALTO MADE BY MARTIN ( ACCORDING TO SAXOPHONE.ORG ) OR BUESCHER according to my other friends data above AND ANOTHER FRIEND SAYS IT IS A MARTIN STENCIL !!

>>MARTIN STENCIL ( ARNE SAYS )
HI, this is for sure a Martin made Elkhart stencil. Martin and Buescher made horns for Elkhart. See list of stencils http://www.vintagesaxophones.com/10-STENCILS%20LIST.html

However Buescher never had soldered on (Bevelled) tone holes, so it’s a Martin made stencil.

If it has a high C# adjuster, it’s based on Martin Phase III made in between 1928-1931.
If not, it’s made in the period between 1921-1928 It’s extremely rare to see the stencil’s in that kind of top class high end model including gold plate and extensive engraving. <<

OK my friend above KEVIN added more to his data SUGGESTING THIS IN NOT A MARTIN

BUT ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE CONFLICTING DATA ON THE HISTORY

ALSO A SMART GUY WROTE ME THIS

KEVIN SAID

>This Elkhart Band instrument Company Alto is vintage circa 1927.

Updates to History:
Elkhart BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY was always a subsidiary of Buescher. It has nothing to do with Martin.
The company was established in September 1919 by CD Greenleaf of CG Conn Ltd and AH Beardsley of Miles Labs. In 1916 both of these men lead a consortium to buy control of Buescher.
In 1922, Elkhart Band Instrument Company trademarked the Elkhead logo and began manufacturing on Main St, but only saxes.
In 1923 Elkhart moved to Plum St.
In 1927 Elkhart began adding more band instruments to their line, lat in the year. Serial number changed to ####-Yr <

Kevin also said this

Hi again,

The information you found regarding EBIC being founded in 1923 is false.
I have the Indiana Secretary of State documentation that proves the founding is September 1919.
I have the trademark registration that shows 1st commercial use of the Trademark branding as shown on this sax was September 1922 on Main St.
I also have the documentation showing the move of BIC to Plum St.

Everything I have provided is documented from 10years of research.

Generally, the old information on the internet is wrong and is just repeated, between sites.

Please see my reporting in the saxontheweb.net forums under Elkhart Band Instrument Co and Stencil Schmencil.

Best Regards,
Kevin

>>>>I found the sax on saxophone.org you refer to and sent them corrected information

While early (1922-1927) 50,000 series Elkhart BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY saxes do look similar to Martin’s, there are many differences:
1) Martin stencils in the high 26,000’s added a 1 to the serial making them 126,000’s. Highest Martin stencil prior to this recorded is 26,581.
2) In April 1929 Martin launched the Indiana Band Instrument Co with a new serial systems. All non- Martin branded production then went under the IBIC serial system. Thus Martin could continue its serial system into the 100,000’s without confusion with stencils. I have recorded Martin stencils from 126,900 – 194,600.
3) Elkhart BAND INSTRUMENT COMAPANY saxes have a different bore to the Martin’s, including Martin stencils.
4) Elkhart serials have a L.P. under them, while Martins spell out LOW PITCH which is above the serial number.
5) While looking similar, the G# cluster is different between Elkhart and Martin.
6) The bell bow bottom brace is different between Elkhart & Martin.
7) The Low C key including control is different between Elkhart & Martin.

In July 1919, Pan American was incorporated as a subsidiary of Conn Ltd by CD Greenleaf and AH Beardsley. In September 1919 the same 2 incorporated the Elkhart Band Instrument Co as a subsidiary of Buescher. <<<<