A look at what is currently available on eBay
How do I identify my pre 1890 Buffet clarinet with the only markings being B LP France ?
Wood clarinet with the markings B, LP, France and on the mouth piece Buffet Crampon. The case it has is not a hinged type case. It flips open at the top and you place the clarinet down into it, like arrows into a quiver. I see no serial numbers or anything else. A couple of month back I found something on a web site that looks very much like it but lost the bookmark on the page.
A pre-1890 wouldn't be expected to have LP on it. The need to mark instruments with HP and LP didn't come about until about 1910 and extended through the 1930's. HP was A=457 and LP was A=440 (sometimes A=435 which is close enough to still be useful). A=440 became the standard pitch in 1939 although we're now seeing a trend to raise it to A=442.
Buffet entered the US market in 1918 (after WWI) and the LP was directly related to that entrance. It was the US that used the A=440 standard, in Buffet's home of France (as well as in Germany) the pitch standard was A=457 (HP). A few other countries or special applications had other pitch standards but these two were, at that time, the norm. Keep in mind that while Buffet made Boehm system clarinets from shortly after they were invented in the mid-1800's - that system was adopted in the US mostly and didn't get wide adoption in most other countries for a long time. In some, the other systems are still preferred. In all likelihood then, this instrument was intended for the US market.
The B is specifically Bb in French and German. B natural is notated as "H" in German and "Si" in French.
You have to be careful about using two of the components to date an instrument. The first unreliable component is the case, cases are swapped out far more frequently than instruments are replaced. For example, that my 1939 Conn Rosewood is in a 2007 ProTech case doesn't mean it was made in 2007. The case is just a clue but not a reliable source.
The other unreliable element is the mouthpiece. We replace and upgrade mouthpieces regularly too. In the case with my Conn is a Selmer Paris and a Pomarico mouthpiece, neither company made my clarinet and my instrument is much older than are the mouthpieces. The material of that mouthpiece is a strong clue to the mouthpieces age though - wood is older than hard rubber which is older than synthetics. Bakelite would specifically date it.
That case you describe is indeed period to pre-1930's though. It was also a common design for trumpets, cornets, and alto horns. Clarinetists began to prefer the separate compartment suitcase type because it protected the instrument better and by about the 30's you just didn't see new instruments with that old style anymore.
Since bells are also often replaced because they are prone to cracks and breaks from dropping and bumps, the only truly reliable source of the date of a clarinet is the center (both joints if there are two) and most makers engraved the serial number somewhere on both pieces. Thing is, they didn't always put it where you'd expect. First place to look is along the ferule rings at each joint. Take a rubbing (lightly with a soft pencil) and you may find it there. The other place to look is under the long rods on the body. Then, if it's a Boehm system clarinet, look under the right pinky keys.
The way to identify it without question is to ask Buffet to do it. If you can find a serial number then they (and most repairmen) can tell you with just that. If you can't find a serial number then an expert is going to have to put his hands on it in order to examine for changes in design/materials/construction of the different periods.
While it's possible that your instrument predates the turn of the century, it's most likely that it dates from the teens.
Items recently purchased from this site
New Buffet Crampon C Professional Oboe Full Conservatory Silver Tested&Inspected, Buffet Crampon Model 3613G Green Line Oboe, 2002 Buffet Crampon BC-1180-2 Bass Clarinet with Case and Mouthpiece EXC+ 192651, Buffet Crampon Tosca A Clarinet Greenline, Buffet Crampon Tosca Bb Clarinet Grenadilla, Buffet Crampon Tosca Bb Clarinet Greenline, Buffet Crampon R13 Prestige Bb Silver Professional Clarinet Outfit Pre-Inspected, Buffet Crampon Prestige R13 A Clarinet, Buffet Crampon Prestige RC Professional Bb Clarinet, Buffet Crampon Prestige R13 Professional Bb Clarinet, Buffet Crampon Vintage R13 A Clarinet, Buffet Crampon R13 Key of "A " Professional Clarinet Outfit -Nickel Plated Keys, Used Buffet Crampon R13 Vintage Bb Clarinet, PERFECT CONDITION BUFFET-CRAMPON VINTAGE Bb CLARINET ORG CASE, RARE MODEL !, Buffet Crampon R13 A Clarinet with Silver Keys Silver Keys, Buffet Crampon R13 Vintage Professional Bb Clarinet, NEW BUFFET CRAMPON R13 BC1231-2 PROFESSIONAL A CLARINET W/ CASE FREE USA SHIP, Buffet Crampon R13 Bb Silver Professional Clarinet Outfit Pre-Inspected/Tested, Buffet Crampon C Full Conservatory Performance Series Oboe Outfit Silver Plated, USED Buffet Crampon Model 400 Baritone Saxophone, Buffet Crampon R13 Bb Vintage Professional Clarinet, Buffet Crampon Model 4012 Student Oboe, Buffet Crampon R13 Bb Professional Clarinet Outfit Pre-Inspected/Tested Free S&H, 2001 Buffet Crampon 1180 Prestige Low Eb Bass Clarinet w/Case & Mpc. 187217, Buffet Crampon R13 Clarinet - Nickel Keys, SUPERB BUFFET-CRAMPON ALTO SAXOPHONE MODEL "S-1", Buffet Crampon Model 4011 Student Oboe, Buffet Crampon R13 Professional Bb Clarinet with Silver Plated Keys, Buffet Crampon R13 Professional Bb Clarinet with Nickel Silver Keys, Buffet Crampon Model 4052 Intermediate Oboe, Buffet Crampon Wooden R-13 Clarinet - Newly fully refurbished - Vintage - NICE!!, SUPERB BUFFET-CRAMPON ALTO SAX "SUPER DYNACTION", Buffet Crampon R13 Professional Bb Clarinet with Nickel Silver Keys, BUFFET CRAMPON R13 PROFESSIONAL Bb WOOD CLARINET VINTAGE EXCELLENT CONDITION, Buffet Crampon R13 Professional Bb Clarinet with Silver Plated Keys, RARE 1955 BUFFET CRAMPON R-13 CLARINET - CASE & MPC., Prof. Set-Up Buffet Crampon R13 Clarinet S/N 487122 (2001), Prof. Top of the Line Set-Up Buffet Crampon R13 Clarinet Silver Plated Keys , Buffet Crampon R13 Professional A Clarinet - Nickel-plated keys, Buffet Crampon R13 Bb Clarinet "Golden Era", Buffet Crampon R13 Bb Clarinet "Golden Era", Buffet Crampon 400 Series Professional Alto Saxophone Antique Matte Finish -New!, Vintage Buffet Crampon Super Dynaction Tenor Saxophone, Buffet Crampon R13 Greenline Clarinet with Prof. Set Up Ready to Go, buffet crampon clarinet R13 1955 Master Model Perfect Cond, Buffet Crampon Tenor Saxophone, 2002 model year Buffet Crampon R13 Clarinet Flawless Overhauled 508677, Buffet Crampon *NEW* Alto saxophone 400 Series (antique matte finish) , 1909 Buffet Crampon LP (Low Pitch) Eb Soprano Clarinet ft. Albert System 189001, Buffet Crampon E11 A-Key Silver Plated Intermediate Clarinet Outfit Setup &Tuned, Vintage Buffet Crampon Paris Soprano Sax - Rare Vintage Sax!!!, Vintage Buffet Crampon Bb Soprano Sax S1 MINT with Case #25366 and 2 Mouthpieces, VINTAGE/Antique BUFFET Crampon CLARINET wrap around Key - Pre 1938 , Buffet Crampon E11 Clarinet France, Buffet Crampon 400 Rich Gold Lacquer Professional Alto Saxophone - Brand New !, Buffet Crampon - B flat clarinet - PROFESSIONAL MODEL - R13 Predecessor R 13, Buffet Crampon R-13 Professional Wood Clarinet, BRAND NEW Buffet Crampon E-11 Performance A Clarinet w/ Mouthpiece & Case!!! , Buffet Crampon E11 France Intermediate Bb Clarinet, Unopened Box: Wooden Buffet Crampon E11 Clarinet B flat , Used Buffet Crampon E11 France Bb Clarinet, Buffet Crampon R13, BC 1131.NI, Pyne mouthpiece, lots of extras!, Buffet Crampon *NEW* Alto saxophone 100 Series, Buffet Crampon R13 Bb BC1131-5 Pro Clarinet, Buffet Crampon Professional Bb Clarinet, Buffet Crampon E11 France Performance Bb Clarinet, Buffet Crampon Academy Model/ R13 Bb Professional Clarinet, Buffet Crampon S1 Bb Professional Clarinet - 1979 mfg, Buffet Crampon Wood Bass Clarinet, BUFFET CRAMPON & CIE ALTO SAXOPHONE, Buffet Crampon 100 Series Bb Tenor Saxophone Outfit Gold Lacquer +Wty -Free ship, Buffet Crampon E11 France Backpack SILVER KEYS NEW, NEW BUFFET CRAMPON E11 ADVANCED Bb WOOD CLARINET FACTORY SEALED -SILVER KEYS, Buffet Crampon E11 France Performance Bb Clarinet STILL IN THE BOX! , 1926 Buffet Crampon Vintage Bb Soprano Clarinet with Case and Mouthpiece 187942, Vintage 1930s Buffet Crampon Bb clarinet, Buffet Chedeville mouthpiece, restored, CLARINET BUFFET PRE R-13 CRAMPON #Y661 YEAR 1906!!!!!!! EXELLENT CONDITION!!!!, Buffet Crampon E11 Stencil Clarinet made by Schreiber, Bb Silver Keys, Buffet Crampon R13 Professional Bb Clarinet with Nickel Keys, Evette Buffet Crampon E13 Wood Clarinet (no longer in production, late 70's), MUST SELL RARE 1892 BUFFET CRAMPON SAXOPHONE, Buffet Crampon Evette Master Model Semi-Professional Wood Clarinet, All New Pads, Buffet Crampon Evette Master Model Pro Wood Clarinet, (R-13 with minor defect), Buffet Crampon E11 Intermediate Clarinet Outfit New ! Store + Factory Warranty's, Buffet Crampon E11 Intermediate Clarinet Outfit BRAND NEW !!, NEW BUFFET CRAMPON E11 INTERMEDIATE Bb CLARINET FACTORY SEALED -NICKEL KEYS, Buffet Crampon BC250150 E11 Intermediate Bb Clarinet, EVETTE BUFFET-CRAMPON ALTO SAXOPHONE , Evette Buffet Crampon Tenor Saxophone, Vintage Buffet Crampon, Paris Bb Clarinet/Ring Key-Nice, Buffet Crampon clarinet w/ NEW CASE, Buffet Crampon Tenor Sax, Buffet Crampon C13 International grenadilla wood Clarinet, Buffet Crampon E12 Wood Clarinet, BUFFET CRAMPON E11 WOOD CLARINET AND ACCESSORIES, VTG Buffet Crampon Clarinet International B5 Mouthpiece, Buffet Crampon Clarinet E11 "NICE", Buffet Crampon E13 Clarinet in Mint Condition!, BUFFET CRAMPON ONE-PIECE BOEHM Bb CLARINET 18 KEYS 7 RINGS,
