Just purchased a Haynes-Schwelm Co Symphony Model, It is sterling and has a MN XXXX Serial Number. It is a low Number under 1000. Is anyone interested in this? It is in very good condition. NO dents what so ever. I cannot find any info on how to date this beautiful instrument. Can anyone help? biomedtech1@charter.net

Thanks so much for the feed back. http://www.americanfluteguild.com/articles/editorial.html

The link above had some great info.

As a guitar player I know how people can draw conclusions on a certain make or model of instruments before playing, I'm guilty of it . I am not saying that you are drawing a blind conclusion about a instrument or maker, and am not bashing your personal opinion of a single instrument. But I think you are making a conclusion on every flute that Haynes-Schwelm Co made buy your experiences with a few models/flutes. Again I am not bashing you, but is it possible that a few models they made, or a few instruments were of the fine quality as the Haynes flute? They were some of the same people that made the WSH flutes.

I was so taken back when I contacted the "W.S. Haynes" people. They actually sounded offended that I would call their company about a H-S flute."I guess I was too stupid to know better" It's part of their history for crying out loud. Anyway I have contacted many companies, some mass producers, and some private, but I have never been treated like I was by the Haynes Co. They are rude.... unless you have money to spend with them.

Again thanks for the feed back, and remember some of the best sounds can come from a cheap piece of junk.

I have to agree with Suzie on this one. The Haynes-Schwelm flute was meant to be a knock off of the W.S Haynes flutes but they didn't succeed. They are no where near the quality of a W.S Haynes flute and that is why the company may have sounded offended when you called them. That and because they are two different companies. (Rivals at one time!) They don't got for much on eBay. In all honesty, they are just not sought after like some vintage flutes are. Sorry

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"Again thanks for the feed back, and remember some of the best sounds can come from a cheap piece of junk."

Agreed. If you are a talented enough flute player than you make just about anything sound good. It is the flutist not, the flute! But on the other hand, if you are that good of a player, than why settle for junk? Just a though. lol!

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Comma in wrong spot. Sorry.

But on the other hand, if you are that good of a player, than why settle for junk?

Maybe they're not filthy rich.

True, but you don't have to be filthy rich to play on a decent student flute. You can find very nice use ones like Yamaha that aren't junk. Why would you have to be rich to play on a decent flute?

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PS. I know plenty of people that have very nice handmade expensive flutes that are NOT filthy rich. It is called work and saving up for one. Sorry, I just hate it when people are automatically judged as being rich by what flute they play on. I get that a lot :(

I agree with you all. Its just that I'm a little disappointed that the flute I purchased for $35.00 isn't worth very much, I guess I'm also a little selfish and greedy.

But with that said and out of the way, I really think this flute is really different. It has a serial number on each piece and the serial number begins with MN. Nowhere have I seen any of these flutes with that and the fact that it is stamped sterling on each piece.

I'll try and post some picks and let you guys check it out.

Again, I'm not trying to be a a-hole, it just comes out that way. Thanks for every reply.

On the other hand, I'll take a slightly different opinion than than what others have posted. First, the Haynes-Schwelm flute should not be categorized as junk.

Who categorized it as junk? I certainly never meant to imply that

I was replying to prudoo who I think first used the term junk:

Again thanks for the feed back, and remember some of the best sounds can come from a cheap piece of junk.

Kate, there isn't much work out there for 12 year olds

I don't know too many 12 year olds that require an expensive flute. Most parents work and have jobs keep in mind. I know not all can afford high dollar flutes, but again I can hardly see why a 12 year old would need such a flute unless they are some kind of prodigy. A student flute is fine. I was referring to adults anyway as I do think the original poster is one. Look at Pyrioni, he was happy to play a student flute and he is 15 and sounds great on it.

Thanks musicman, You really sound like you know your stuff. I really do agree that this thing is a step above a student flute. It is in great shape. A local music store owner played it and said for $100 he could have it in new condition because it wasnt far from that already. He seemed to think it maybe worth around 1K. I don't know..... if I even want to sell it, even though I don't play flute. Its like the "ring" on Lord Of The Rings. My Precious!! hahaha It will be hard to part with because I have learned so much about the flute and flute players. Thanks for the post!

OK OK Suzi, You are not impressed with the H-S flutes and your being a little snobby about the whole thing. You must play a very expensive instrument. But you cant tell me you base the value of all instruments on the going price or price paid on eBay. Lets see what a flute comparable to yours sold for or is selling for on eBay, I bet you would be disappointed too.

Suzie... snobby? Far from it. And how would I know? Because she is my best friend and I talk to her just about every day. She wouldn't be my friend if I thought she was snobby as I am picky when it comes to friends. I am not trying to be mean at all, but the flute that you have is not worth that much. If you love it and want to keep it for yourself then that is great. All that matters is if you really like it. BUT, if you are planing on selling it and expecting to get a lot of cash for it, you will be sorely disappointed. This is coming from a couple of people that are long time flute sellers and make it our number one priority to know what things are worth etc.. We have to know this stuff so that we don't lose a profit and buy something to resell that isn't worth it. I do hope you understand a little bit now of where we are coming from. We are not trying to rain on your parade, we are only trying to help since you did ask. If you don't like the answer, don't shoot the messenger

Point taken, and thanks. I think I'll donate this flute to a person who could use it.

This post made me remember I've got one these in my closet I picked up used in 1969. Worth about $50 then, probably less now. Upgraded to a solid silver Gemeinhardt 2MS in 1975. Now that might be worth what I paid for it- $300.

Rich