Antique Penzel-Mueller Clarinet 1900s or 1910s "LP A" Wood and Nickel New York

Description

1890s-1900s-1910s Penzel Müller (only spelled Mueller later) Clarinet model "LP A" no serial # Wood and Nickel (or nickel plated brass) made in New York Patented April 18th 1899.
The model name "LP A" indicates a date older than 1930, as around this time "LP" seems to have been replaced with "H".
The lack of serialization indicates a date most likely older than 1914 although there are examples of non-serialized PM clarinets into the 1920s at least. Non-serialization appears to be the standard for the first few years but still somewhat common for the next decade or two.
The lack of a third partner's name (Gus Pruefer-PM were partnered with him in 1914 but separated again in 1920/1921) indicates a possible dating between 1899 and 1914, or post-1920 but one final clue seems to most likely rule out a later date:
The wrap-around front register key also indicates a date older than 1920 (there are few but rare exceptions, as late as 1922, among clarinets by a handful of manufacturers, but none so far that I can find made by Penzel-Müller).
Almost certainly the date range is 1899-1914 (missing a third partner's name; and with no serialization, the sheer odds might favor a date closer to 1899 than to 1914).
Small and wild chance of 1920-1922.
Almost certainly not newer than 1922 (has wrap-around front register key with lever on back but hole in front, instead of a straight post with rod and hole both in back).
And pretty much without doubt older than 1930 ("LP" instead of "H").
Overall attractive piece. Probably playable (mouthpiece but no reed so I have not tested it), but no guarantees as to sound quality, and better off as a conversation piece or collector's item than as an everyday instrument. If you wanted to restore this and make it an everyday player, you could, but I wouldn't describe it as absolutely in need of restoration either. It is in better shape than some I see that "need" restoration.
The nickel pieces are tarnished or patina'd. They would clean up somewhat if absolutely necessary, but I will leave that up to the buyer. The tarnish of the metal keys is mostly a slight dullness, moderate discoloration. The tarnish on the joint rings is some small areas of green grime just like you find on jewelry or old copper pipes. It looks like it will come off with relative ease. You can't really see most of it until you take the instrument apart.
Various cork and cotton or felt pads. Most seem to be in order but one or two may need replaced if you intend to play.
The springs and levers are all in working order but I see one place where solder was used (see photos) to repair a metal rod. It works just as it should.
The cork seals between mouthpiece and barrel and between barrel and upper joint and between lower joint and bell all hold tight. The cork seal between the upper and lower joints is worn down enough to be slightly loose, but you can still pick the whole instrument up without it necessarily separating.
There are some scuffs and minor scratchets throughout but the majority are old enough to be fairly masked by patina of both wood and metal.
The bell has some deep cracks in it where the small hidden fasteners hold the lower nickel ring to the wood but again they aren't obvious until you hold it close. There is also a little separation (due to the wood shrinking I imagine) between the nickel ring on the bottom of it and the wood bulk of the bell. But not enough separation to see unless you hold it directly between a window or a lamp and your eye. It also is holding solid and not likely to come off. I can see the small fasteners that hold everything in place when I hold it between my eye and a light source, which also indicates it will keep holding.
I do not believe the mouthpiece (the only piece not made of wood, but rather bakelite) or the case (although I acquired them at the same time and same place along with a number of other instruments and accessories) to be original to this clarinet. It may have held another instrument entirely but is an okay fit for this clarinet, for storage, although for travel you may wish to get a different one.