It came with a small ding on the mouthpiece, but not near the hole. It sold for $206, including hard case and outer cloth case. Other than the one ding, the instrument is in like-new condition. It seems that the Gemeinhardt model 3SHB have sold for considerably more.
Does anyone know why the 3OSHB would not be as popular as the 3SHB, even though the list price is almost a hundred dollars more? 
Thanks!
Heliman
These are the specs on the 3SHB:
openhole, inline g, solid silver head, silver-plated body, b-foot.
Is the 3OSHB the same but with an offset G? There are benefits to an offset G, including easier maintenance and increased comfort. However, the junior high-high school player (the taret market for the 3SHB), tends to see an inline G as a status symbol, they have âstepped upâ to a professional style flute (never mind that some professionals prefer offset Gs). Never mind further that half of those with inline Gs have to plug that key! Some teachers recommend or require inline-Gs so as not to spoil the fingers and develop the reach.
If you flute is a 3SHB with offset-G, the reason it goes for less may simply be a higher demand for inline-G. Iâve played an inline
G since 7th grade and never had a problem with the reach or had to use a plug (long, spider monkey fingers). However, my former teacher recently went to an offset-G with various crutches on the body because of carpal tunnel. She thinks she developed the condition in part because of the poor ergonomics of the inline-G. Sheâs 2nd chair for a major orchestra and she recommends offset-Gs for all her students now.
Of course, this is all assuming thatâs the difference between your model and the 3SHB.
Hope this helps.
Even though I have no difficulty fingering my silver flute with inline finger holes, I much prefer to finger the cylindrical bore low D Irish flute with offset finger holes. My idea is that using a flute with offset finger holes and using the flat finger piperâs grip, the fingering of the flute is self adjusting, by allowing the ends of the fingers to extend over the finger holes, if necessary. So I am an advocate of designing Irish flutes with offset finger holes. The following is what a modern silver flute virtuoso and a prominent maker of Irish flutes have to say on the subject.
Robert Dick writes, âThe offset G is more in keeping with the hand. Unless a flutist has a fourth finger that is longer than the middle finger, the inline flute makes no sense at all in terms of the human body. Of course, many players have accustomed themselves to inline flutes and feel no need to change, and Iâm not suggesting that they do. But as we teach, we should dispell the myth that inline is the âreal dealâ and offset is for kids.â
http://larrykrantz.com/rdick.htm#hft
Speaking of his offset finger hole flute designs, Casey Burns writes, âWith a modern awareness of ergonomics, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Strain Injury, etc, it makes sense to fit the flute to the person rather than the other way around.â
http://www.caseyburnsflutes.com/ergo.php
Best wishes and happy fluting 
I have owned several in-lineG silver flutes and now only play offsetG, I will never buy another inline. Same goes for wood simple system flutes, only offset, period. I had pain in my left wrist when playing inline and now I donât.
It used to be thought that inline Gs were more more in tune, but thatâs been shown false. Iâll be trying offset-Gs the next time Iâm shopping for a silver flute (probably about 20 years from now ). How long does it take to ârelearnâ the position if youâre used to an inline?
Thereâs not much difference going from inline to offset G. Going that direction is easier than going from offset to inline. The offset G is simply a more natural hand position for most people.
Dana
Well thanks guys! Now I donât feel like such a chump for buying something no one else wanted. :roll:
Janet: Yes, the O in 3OSHB stands for Offset.
Even though Gemeinhardt offers the Offset version, you have to look mighty hard to find one!
One of the things I read was that originally the ease of manufacturing caused the manufacturing companies to âshiftâ the players to the inline configuration because it was cheaper for them to make. It now appears that the offset acceptance or preferance is working its way down from the professional ranks.
Personally, I think there is a driving force in the student ranks to have what everyone else has and not to be too different. Hence it may take a while before the offset design is widely accepted.
Anyway, I am thrilled with mine and am honestly glad it doesnât currently qualify a âcoolâ or I would have had to pay a bunch more! 
Respectfully yours,
Heliman
Janet, although I donât see the posting now, you mentioned about using a product from Burtâs Bees. I also use Burtâs Bees Hand Salve, which seems to be available now in many health food and drug stores. I like it alot. Besides moisturizing your hands and lips, in my opinion, it is also great for protecting the outer surface and inner bore of wooden instruments, like flutes and recorders. The ingredients are: sweet almond oil, olive oil, beeswax, tocopheryl (vitamin E), comfrey root extract, rosemary oil & leaf extract, lavandin oil & flower extract, eucalyptus oil. The salve smells wonderful, and it doesnât go rancid at room temperature. I soak a piece of cotton flannel and pull it through the bore of my flutes and recorders. MY dull-looking recorders look like new instruments after this process.
I have played both inline and offset G Boehm-system flutes.
After the initial adjustment period to inline, I havenât found a lot of difference between the two as far as hand comfort.
Offset has the advantage mechanically; being on its own steel means less pins in the construction and a sturdier mechanism overall. Also itâs much easier to replace a broken spring on offset G for the same reason: the mechanism and posts arenât quite so crowded.
âJames
Doug;
I mentioned Burtâs Bees in the thread about threaded joint care (why I have so much extra Carmex). I havenât tried their hand salve, but I use a lot of their skin care and facial care products. Such great stuff. I hadnât thought about using it for flute care, thanks for the idea!
If any other ladies have to wipe their lipstick off before fluting, try Burtâs Beeswax. It is addictive.