When was my Martin made?
Before serial numbers, different instruments were identified by the Martin-mark, which was stamped into the back of the headstock, the upper part of the back, or on the rear binding strut, visible through the sound hole (the reinforcing block between the 2 back pieces).
The original instruments had a paper label that read: “Martin and Coupa”.
1833 to 1867 The brand read: “C.F. Martin New York”.
1867 to 1898 The brand read: “C.F. Martin & Co. New York”.
1898 onward The brand reads: “C.F. Martin & Co. Nazareth, Pa.”
1888 to 1898 Paper label includes: “Charles A. Zoebisch & Sons” (Zoebisch was the sole distributor of Martin at the time).
1898 Serial numbers begin at #8000
1929 Model numbers were marked on the neck block, inside the body.
Some, actually from my experience, quite a lot of the pre-1898 guitars have the date penciled on the top just inside the sound hole. Before 1929, the model size and style designation was generally written on a paper label and glued inside the top of the instrument case.
1895 - Mandolines werden geïntroduceerd
1915 - Ukuleles, taropatches, tiples en Hawaïaanse gitaren werden geïntroduceerd
1923 - Tenorbanjo's werden geïntroduceerd
Ukuleles did not carry serial numbers but can be roughly identified and dated by the headstock:
1895 to 1932 The Martin brand stamped on the back of the headstock.
1930 Onward The Martin logo decal on the front of the headstock.
1895 to 1934 Bar frets
1934 Onward Standard frets
Martin started serializing with number 8001 simply because they accounted for some 8000 instruments built prior to 1898. This information was found in a very old book on Martin guitars.
Martin started serializing with number 8001 simply because they accounted for some 8000 instruments built prior to 1898. This information was found in a very old book on Martin guitars.
Unlike some other manufacturers, using Martins serial numbers to date your instrument is accurate. The serial number can be found on the neck block. Look inside of the soundhole and towards the neck, the model number and serial number will be stamped on the mahogany block otherwise known as the neck block. The model number is on top, the serial number is below it. Also, when reading the chart below, remember...the number shown beside the year is the LAST number used for that year. So, for instance, if the serial number you are looking to date is number 9311, the instrument was made in 1902, as 9310 is the last serial number used in 1901
Martin Guitars Serial Numbers:
|
|
|
Year / Last Number
1895 x,x23
1896 x,112
1897 x,155
1898 x,359
1899 x,577
1900 x,800
1901 x,881
1902 1,171
1903 1,348
1904 1,507
1905 1,669
1906 2,026
1907 2,357
1908 2,510
1909 2,786
1910 3,098
1911 3,431
1912 3,847
1913 4,162
1914 4,462
1915 4,767
1916 5,007
1917 5,752
1918 6,370
1919 7,237
1920 8,761
1921 9,627
1922 10,196
1923 11,020
1924 11,809
1925 12,520
1926 13,359
1927 13,833
1928 14,170
1929 14,680
1930 14,892
1931 15,290
1932 15,476
1933 15,528
1934 15,729
1935 15,887
1936 16,156
1937 16,449
1938 16,580
1939 16,747
1940 16,957
1941 17,263
1942 17,405
1943 none
1944 none
1945 none
1946 17,641
1947 18,303
1948 19,078
1949 19,559
1950 20,065
1951 20,521
1952 20,902
1953 21,452
1954 21,952
1955 22,254
1956 22,629
1957 22,985
1958 23,111
1959 23,262
1960 23,512
1961 23,663
1962 23,938
1963 24,139
1964 24,339
1965 24,439
1966 24,564
1967 24,639
1968 24,839
1969 24,989
1970 25,039
1971 25,065
1972 25,289
1973 25,339
1974 25,679
1975 25,895
1976 26,045*
1977 26,101
1978 None
1979 26,112
1980 26156
1981 26,215
1982 26,225
1983 26,247
1984 26,254
1985 26,263
1986 26,273
1987 26,279
1988 26,281
1989 26,283
1990 26,291
1991 26297
1991 509122**
1993 533213