Firstly, that is NOT a cheap price for that particular flute. Secondly, it is no a professional flute as advertised.

Thirdly, has Gemeinhardt ever made a model 73 SHB anyway?
or is this just a low end step-up model 3 SHB?

I do believe that Gemeinhardt actually has made that model. It is basically a student 3SHB model but the key cup design is a bit different. You can get a 3SHB at Flute World for only $789, so this person probably got ripped off by a music store if they bought it for $1,150.00 as stated in their auction. So their buy it now price is more expensive then that of a brand new one at FW. There are so many misinformed and taken advantage of parents/flutist on ebay and everywhere else, it is a shame to see.

Well, I found another location (only one location) selling one of these with that model number and so I went to the Gemeinhardt web site and it's not advertised as a current model there.

I agree about the Ebay flute issue. It's actually maddening because parents are afraid of spending too much so they buy something that's not a good investment and so either end up probably spending more or their child simply quits music.

~bilbo
N.E. Ohio