My 2P, "251076," was the 76th instrument made in 2005, and it was made in October, so if production was fairly consistent with that three years earlier and was spread fairly evenly through the year they would obviously get well beyond #4 by May.Īt least this shows you the pattern. I don't believe they would have been making the fourth instrument of the year in May, so that's one reason I think this number came from the valveset, which also has its own serial number. If this were that number, then the tuba would have been made in 2002 ("22"), in May ("5"), and was the fourth instrument made that year ("4"). There should be a number on the bell throat, possibly six digits, near the model number. That looks like the number from the valveset. It also has a "USN" (US Navy) engraving on the bell.
![Hirsbrunner tuba 392 b Hirsbrunner tuba 392 b](http://redevelop.drobnakbrass.com/conc8/application/files/cache/thumbnails/ace76fe346a40fdd6a21649af78b4c1d.jpg)
Its serial number is 2254, and it appears to be somewhat young (probably 10-14 years old).
![Hirsbrunner tuba 392 b Hirsbrunner tuba 392 b](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/82/33/4f/82334f1b42c7c6fdcd94e425daaa3a35.jpg)
ATschetter wrote:I bought a Hirsbrunner HBS-392/HB-21 on here a few months ago, and I just want to find out when it was made.