What Can Serial Numbers Tell Me?
The main thing you learn from serial numbers is the age of the instrument of course. Although the dates in these charts are reasonably accurate, there may be some discrepancies for various reasons. Here are a few things to bear in mind:
Tim Boniface presents a demo of a Buescher Aristocrat 156 tenor sax, with both an Aizen SO mouthpiece and a Link STM (early Babbit era) mouthpiece in turn.
- Sometimes a company may hold back a batch of instruments and then release them a couple of years later.
- The production of old and new models can overlap, or in some cases features of a new model appear on the later batch of the previous model. This can lead to what we call transitional models, which have some new and some old features. A famous example would be the early 30s Conn instruments.
- Many companies make other instruments, not just saxophones and the serial numbers are spread over their entire range. So saxophones may not be numbered sequentially.
- Serial numbers can be used to identify supposedly “better” instruments. It is sometimes (possible erroneously) supposed that five digit MKVIs are the best. Or you want to play a horn with a number that is close to your idol’s saxophone.
Why do people sometimes mask the last three digits of a serial number?
When advertising an instrument for sale, you will often see the serial number referred to as 36xxxx. It is rumoured that there is a scam, by which somebody who acquires your serial number can then claim the instrument is theirs. This may just be paranoia as I have never heard of this happening, nor can I understand how it could happen.
Ideally you should have a record of the serial number with your sales receipt and won your insurance details.
A serial number can of course be used to identify a stolen instrument. If a seller does hide part of the number you may wonder if they are trying to hide the fact that it is stolen. In most cases the reason is for the one stated above, but it is always worth checking when buying an instrument. Ask the seller privately for the number and do a search for that instrument. If it has been stolen recently, the legal owner may have registered it with an online database of stolen saxophones.
Vintage Buescher, Conn, Martin, King & Selmer Serial Numbers
There are quite a few saxophone serial number charts on the internet, these ones have mostly been adapted from existing manufacturers’ and saxophone enthusiasts’ charts.
I will be adding more soon, as well as checking for accuracy and updating these with more historical and instrument information.
Buescher
Serial Number | Year of Manufacture |
True Tone | |
5000 | 1905 |
11250 | 1910 |
25103 | 1915 |
61255 | 1920 |
175275 | 1925 |
Aristocrat | |
255250 | 1930 |
269000 | 1935 |
Big B & 400 Series | |
291000 | 1940 |
303000 | 1945 |
332000 | 1950 |
350000 | 1955 |
360000 | 1960 |
381000 | 1963 |
Company acquired by Selmer | |
408818 | 1965 |
520000 | 1970 |
630000 | 1975 |
785000 | 1980 |
875000 | 1983 |
Conn
Serial Number | Year of Manufacture |
Wonder | |
9600 | 1905 |
10800 | 1906 |
12000 | 1907 |
13000 | 1908 |
15400 | 1909 |
17800 | 1910 |
21200 | 1911 |
22500 | 1912 |
25000 | 1913 |
30000 | 1914 |
35000 | 1916 |
40000 | 1917 |
50000 | 1919 |
58000 | 1920 |
64000 | 1921 |
83000 | 1922 |
101775 | 1923 |
124600 | 1924 |
New Wonder ( | |
145400 | 1925 |
167900 | 1926 |
193450 | 1927 |
209250 | 1928 |
224600 | 1929 |
237800 | 1930 |
Transitional | |
244700 | 1931 |
249230 | 1932 |
256501 | 1933 |
M Series ( | |
260000 | 1934 |
263500 | 1935 |
271000 | 1936 |
278000 | 1937 |
Connqueror | |
284000 | 1938 |
285000 | 1939 |
288300 | 1940 |
295250 | 1941 |
304500 | 1942 |
309250 | 1943 |
309300 | 1944 |
310200 | 1945 |
314000 | 1946 |
320000 | 1947 |
Connstellation – Rolled tone holes discontinued | |
327150 | 1948 |
332150 | 1949 |
337250 | 1950 |
341850 | 1951 |
341851 | 1952 |
354742 | 1953 |
359251 | 1954 |
500001 | 1955 |
571750 | 1956 |
652002 | 1957 |
718626 | 1958 |
779657 | 1959 |
Production moved to Mexico | |
834200 | 1960 |
898556 | 1961 |
949465 | 1962 |
C00501 | 1963 |
C73854 | 1964 |
E54106 | 1965 |
H31247 | 1966 |
K35274 | 1967 |
L20454 | 1968 |
Martin
Serial Number | Serial Number | Year |
17221 | 1919 | |
19482 | 1920 | |
19933 | 1921 | |
23781 | 1921 | |
29942 | 1922 | |
34838 | 1923 | |
40644 | 1924 | |
48489 | 152342 | 1925 |
54853 | ||
67852 | 162852 | 1926 |
172051 | ||
79254 | 1927 | |
86687 | 1928 | |
*192536 | 1027 | 1929 |
1st digit dropped | ||
98324 | 2982 | 1930 |
101622 | 7119 | 1931 |
105096 | 1932 | |
106546 | 1933 | |
108301 | 1934 | |
10758 | 111253 | 1935 |
14526 | 116551 | 1936 |
15396 | 118038 | 1937 |
18861 | 126998 | 1938 |
20563 | 132070 | 1939 |
23231 | 136040 | 1940 |
24572 | 140199 | 1941 |
26643 | 144455 | 1942 |
145322 | 1943 | |
1944 | ||
145352 | 1945 | |
154289 | 1946 | |
161520 | 1947 | |
165326 | 1948 | |
170395 | 1949 | |
172215 | 1950 | |
172449 (first Imperial) | ||
175140 | 1951 | |
41693 | 179317 | 1952 |
45824 | 183125 | 1953 |
49586 | 187614 | 1954 |
193747 | 1955 | |
56162 | 196213 | 1956 |
66719 | 203809 | 1957 |
66727 | 201917 | 1958 |
70988 | 205377 | 1959 |
76224 | 209089 | 1960 |
81885 | 211675 | 1961 |
87850 | 213999 | 1962 |
218855 | 1963 |
Selmer
Serial Number | Year of Manufacture |
Modele 22 | |
750 | 1922 |
Modele 26 | |
4450 | 1926 |
10000 | 1929 |
Cigar Cutter (Super Sax) | |
12000 | 1930 |
14000 | 1931 |
17000 | 1932 |
18000 | 1933 |
Radio Improved | |
19000 | 1934 |
20000 | 1935 |
Balanced Action | |
22000 | 1936 |
24000 | 1937 |
25000 | 1938 |
27000 | 1939 |
30000 | 1940 |
33000 | 1947 |
Super Action | |
35000 | 1948 |
37000 | 1949 |
40000 | 1950 |
43000 | 1951 |
46000 | 1952 |
50000 | 1953 |
52000 | 1954 |
Mark VI | |
57000 | 1955 |
62000 | 1956 |
66000 | 1957 |
71000 | 1958 |
76000 | 1959 |
81000 | 1960 |
90000 | 1961 |
94000 | 1962 |
103000 | 1963 |
110000 | 1964 |
120000 | 1965 |
129000 | 1966 |
137000 | 1967 |
149000 | 1968 |
160000 | 1969 |
171000 | 1970 |
182000 | 1971 |
192000 | 1972 |
204000 | 1973 |
218000 | 1974 |
231000 | 1975 |
Mark VII | |
243000 | 1976 |
256000 | 1977 |
272000 | 1978 |
282000 | 1979 |
300000 | 1980 |
327300 | 1981 |
Super Action 80 | |
340200 | 1982 |
353800 | 1983 |
366400 | 1984 |
378800 | 1985 |
391000 | 1986 |
Super Action 80 II | |
406000 | 1987 |
![Tenor Tenor](/uploads/1/2/4/8/124806100/287546864.jpg)
KING
5000 | 1915 |
78500 | 1925 |
126000 | 1930 |
161000 | 1935 |
220000 | 1940 |
275000 | 1945 |
305000 | 1950 |
340000 | 1955 |
370000 | 1960 |
406500 | 1965 |
457500 | 1970 |
511500 | 1975 |
Items in search results
- SPONSORED
BUESCHER Big B Tenor Aristocrat Sax 1949 Vintage Brass Instrument Saxophone
- £1,119.79
- + £34.43 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
BUESCHER Big B Tenor Aristocrat Sax 1949 Vintage Brass Instrument Saxophone
Pre-owned- £1,119.79
- + £34.43 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
vintage Elkhart ( Buescher ) tenor saxophone
Pre-owned- £350.00
- + £80.00 postage
Vintage Buescher Aristocrat BIG B Tenor Saxophone 1941 Original Lacquer
Pre-owned- £1,903.55
- Postage not specified
- From United States
Buescher Tenor SNAP IN Sax pads, saxophone pads - USA Made
Brand new- £118.16
- + £10.24 postage
- From United States
Buescher Aristocrat 'Big B' true tone vintage tenor saxophone
Pre-owned- £1,500.00
- Postage not specified
- From Poland
Buescher True Tone Tenor Saxophone 1923/1924
Pre-owned- £900.00
- Collection only: Free
Buescher Tenor saxophone model Aristocrat 1939 gold lacquer
Pre-owned- £1,800.00
- Collection only: Free
.The Buescher True Tone Silver LP Tenor Saxophone Ser#55181 Plays Very Well*
Pre-owned- £475.88
- 0 bids
- + £102.59 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
The Buescher Big B Aristocrat Tenor Saxophone Ser#310947 Great Horn Needs OVH
Pre-owned- £396.57
- 0 bids
- + £101.37 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Vintage Buescher 400 Tenor Saxophone
Pre-owned- £950.98
- 0 bids
- + £89.78 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
.Buescher Elkhart 30A Tenor Saxophone Ser#43738 Plays Needs Bell Pad Re-Glued*
Pre-owned- £277.59
- 0 bids
- + £99.56 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
1949 Buescher 400 Top Hat and Cane Tenor Saxophone, Ohaul, Orig Lacquer, Video!
Pre-owned- £2,538.07
- + £83.76 postage
- From United States
Vintage Buescher Aristocrat 156 BIG B Tenor Saxophone Late 40’s Original Lacquer
Pre-owned- £1,903.55
- + £140.05 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Buescher 1967 ‘400’ #429k Tenor Saxophone - WORLDWIDESAX
Refurbished- £1,664.82
- + £189.38 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Buescher 400 Tenor Saxophone **VINTAGE**
Pre-owned- £1,427.66
- + £101.04 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Make an offer!!! Beautiful buescher tenor saxophone/amazing player/make an offer...
Pre-owned- £1,063.92
- + £8.46 postage
- From Italy
1919 Buescher True Tone Tenor Saxophone C-Melody Low Pitch w orig case
Pre-owned- £475.10
- + £70.79 postage
- From United States
Buescher Top Hat & cane tenor saxophone. A great Vintage!
Pre-owned- £3,727.79
- Free Postage
- From Italy
Saxophone tenor buescher aristocrat 156
Refurbished- £1,771.71
- + £106.84 postage
- From Spain
Vintage Buescher Aristocrat Series III Saxophone No.379298 Nice Music Instrument
Pre-owned- £276.81
- 0 bids
- + £23.95 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Vintage Buescher Aristocrat 200 Tenor Saxophone With Case
Pre-owned- £440.20
- + £66.43 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
..Buescher True Tone 3 Tenor Saxophone White Mouthpiece isi7029-13
Pre-owned- £99.14
- 0 bids
- + £17.03 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Vintage Buescher Aristocrat Saxophone Decor Repair
Pre-owned- £39.65
- 0 bids
- £138.80
- + £115.50 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
IC Kangaroo Leather Tenor Saxophone Pads, w Light Made, Neck Cork
Brand new- £46.79
- + £13.09 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Buescher Tenor SNAP IN Sax Pads, saxophone pads - USA Made
Brand new- £118.95
- + £10.31 postage
- From United States
Buescher Tenor SNAP IN Sax pads, saxophone pads - USA Made
Brand new- £118.14
- + £10.24 postage
- From United States
1953 VINTAGE BUESCHER ELKHART TENOR SAXOPHONE w/case model 30 A sn 65018
Parts only- £237.15
- + £86.52 postage
- From United States
- Customs services and international tracking provided
German Tenor Saxophone
Pre-owned- £129.00
- 3 bids
- Postage not specified
Vintage 1928 lacquered buescher true tone alto saxophone
Pre-owned- £300.00
- + £59.00 postage
Meister Tenor Saxophone
Hardly been used in 35years, vintage ?- £210.00
- 5 bids
- + £24.84 postage
- Customs services and international tracking provided
Vintage Buescher Aristocrat Alto Sax Saxophone !No Reserve!
Original Case Included! !We ShipWorldwide!- £97.16
- 15 bids
- + £81.93 postage
- From United States
Earlham BD Model 335 Tenor Saxophone + Carrying Case + Stand
Pre-owned- £375.00
- 0 bids
- Postage not specified
Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Saxophone - Purple Logo 1970s In amazing condition.
Pre-owned- £1,500.00
- 0 bidsor Best Offer
- Postage not specified
FRENCH BUFFET CRAMPON S2 TENOR SAXOPHONE SUPER RARE PROFESSIONAL DYNACTION LEVEL
Pre-owned- £710.00
- 4 bids
- Postage not specified
Tenor saxophone. Gold/brass colour. Hard case - unbranded
Pre-owned- £120.00
- 0 bids
- £240.00
- Postage not specified
jupiter tenor saxophone used.
Pre-owned- £200.00
- 0 bids
- Postage not specified
Yanagisawa tenor Saxophone 00109645
Pre-owned- £1,600.00
- Collection only: Free
Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Sax Saxophone - Purple Logo early example
Pre-owned- £1,600.00
- 0 bids
- Postage not specified
Bauhaus Walstein Phosphor Bronze Tenor Saxophone , Model TS-P in 'as Condition.
Pre-owned- £699.00
- 0 bids
- Postage not specified
Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Saxophone - Purple Logo1980's In Amazing condition.
Pre-owned- £1,900.00
- 0 bidsor Best Offer
- Postage not specified
The Martin Handcraft Tenor Saxophone 1957
Pre-owned- £1,500.00
- 0 bids
- Postage not specified
Tenor Saxophone plus stand & other accessories.
Pre-owned- £107.00
- 1 bid
- Postage not specified
New listing Tenor Saxophone.. Selmer Reference 54 Tenor Saxophone, Excellent condition.
Pre-owned- £3,400.00
- 0 bids
- Postage not specified
Vintage offset, Bullet Chamber, 90/0 SMS, BERG LARSEN Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Pre-owned- £145.00
- 0 bids
- £205.00
- Postage not specified
Silver-plated Yamaha tenor saxophone YTS-480
Pre-owned- £1,250.00
- 0 bids
- Collection only: Free
P. Mauriat Custom Class PMXT-66R Tenor saxophone
Pre-owned- £1,625.00
- + £85.00 postage
superb Chiltern pro level tenor saxophone by Howarth of London
Pre-owned- £899.00
- 0 bids
- Collection only: Free
C Melody Buescher Saxophone
Refurbished- £1,500.42
- + £109.12 postage
- From Australia
Selmer Signet USA Tenor Sax Saxophone !No Reserve!
12 Pictures Look! !We Ship Worldwide!- £250.29
- 18 bids
- + £93.27 postage
- From United States
241 HOLTON USA Tenor saxophone
Pre-owned- £475.00
- + £50.00 postage
Conn 16M Shooting Star USA Tenor Saxophone
Refurbished- £650.00
- Collection only: Free
1968-69 German Weltklang Silver Plated Tenor Saxophone - pre-owned pristine
Pre-owned- £1,000.00
- Postage not specified
Sakkusu Tenor Saxophone
New (other)- £280.00
- 0 bids
- Collection only: Free
Yamaha YTS-21 Tenor Saxophone, Lacquer
Pre-owned- £750.00
- Postage not specified
New listing Selmer mk 6 tenor saxophone
Pre-owned- £7,000.00
- Postage not specified
New listing Conn 16M Tenor Saxophone539230 Made In USA
Pre-owned- £117.00
- 0 bids
- Collection only: Free
Sequoia Tenor Saxophone “lemon” model
Pre-owned- £1,375.00
- Collection only: Free
saxophone vintage Keilwerth tenor The New King tenor 1958 silver angel wings
Pre-owned- £1,199.00
- + £45.00 postage
Earlham Professional Series II Tenor Saxophone With Hard Case.
Pre-owned- £500.00
- Collection only: Free
Boosey & Hawkes 400 Series Tenor Sax Saxophone + Case & Quality Mouthpiece
Pre-owned- £495.00
- + £45.00 postage
Rare Vintage 1934 Martin Handcraft Imperial Tenor Sax Saxophone !No Reserve!
Beveled Tone Holes!12 Pictures Look!!We Ship Worldwide!- £270.46
- 32 bids
- + £93.27 postage
- From United States
Martin Tenor Saxophone 1941 Family Owned Since New. inc Ivy Benson Band.
Pre-owned- £1,850.00
- Postage not specified