- A repository of our manufacturing serial numbers listed out for your convenience. Armstrong Bach Brass C.G. Conn Henri Selmer Paris Holton King Leblanc Ludwig Ludwig-Musser Scherl & Roth Selmer Yanagisawa. Division of Education Home Services Communities Clinician About Us Events Resources.
- Just an FYI, Holton also makes an H379 model that is silver and my serial number on my horn is in the 569xxx range so you could also have a model 379. If you go to Holton-horns.com you can check out high quality photos of the different models.
- 1/01/2008 We have reevaluated the serial number list to reflect new information. The number of instruments produced in the early years 1893-1905, has been reduced. The serial number lists are NOT 100% accurate.
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It has been reported that Holton serial#s that have an 'R' following the number means that it was made by Yamaha.
.Manufacturers, models - stencils and serial numbers
'Martin Handcraft'1931 Vintage bronze lacquer, late model. Good player 1931, s/no 104xxx - literally the last of the C-Melody line, lovely !! I don't have a good enough camera to capture the real dark vintage lacquer colour - it's gorgeous. Modern action, gone are the quirky vintage forked Eb and G# trill keys. High palm keys all sensibly long - no more 'button' palm keys. Add to that the essential auxiliary Front-F mechanism, and you have a C-Melody and this is a delight to play. Intonation is extremely good - a solid powerful horn with well preserved Martin case and accessories. NOT FOR SALE | Lyon & Healy 'Inspiration' ( King stencil - relatively rare) I affectionately call her 'Big Ugly'. Very much a project and a half....... Quite a rare beast this one, I've only seen one other for sale. After Lyon & Healy stopped making their own C-Mels - based around Martin design/tooling - they had stencils mostly made by Buescher. This is the more elusive King stencil, with classic King domed cups, and, more importantly, the auxiliary Front-F mechanism - a rare find on stencil horns. The silver plating is almost completely worn or abraded from the body, but some remains on the keys - giving a two-tone appearance. A real workhorse. A current project, at the moment, regrettably NOT FOR SALE. |
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The aim of this page is to (hopefully) help you to identify the manufacturer, and even possibly the 'build year' of your C-Melody. I know you could look on the bell and say 'Ah - Martin', but sadly that doesn't apply to stencils. So, the table on the right will have links to a pages showing a selection of C-Melody saxes, some I've owned, some I still do, and with the mechanism and design features of each manufacturer - the pictures are quite good resolution, and unprotected, so can be copied and pasted into a suitable graphics package for better viewing, e.g. zooming. Please feel free to do this, but if you re-use the pictures in any other context, please ask me first, and I'd also appreciate a mention of this site.
Rather than put 'return' links on each page, I've either opened some in a new window, or others require the use of your browser 'back arrow' to get back to this page. It will take a while to find examples showing all the differences, and I hope to be able to make a 'truth table' as well, for quick checking and identification. Until then, please follow this link to my Q&A page, and check out the excellent pages by Saxpics, Dr Rick, and Cybersax, to identify which manufacturer built your stencil.
Sadly, e.g., all Martin stencils don't have all the standard Martin features etc. etc. And, some Stencil names appear on saxes from more than one manufacturer ! Fun, isn't it ? I'm still learning a few things myself in the process. A far from comprehensive list of Stencil names is at the end of the page - link is on the table opposite - and I'll also set up a gallery of pictures of C-Melody saxes I've owned in the past, as examples of most manufacturers art. The vast majority of the pictures were taken by (and owned by) me, but, if I've inadvertently used someone else's example, I sincerely apologise - drop me an email and I'll either credit you, or if you so wish I'll remove the picture.
Below are short lists of serial numbers for the years ( mostly up to the thirties ) that C-Melody saxes were produced 'in quantity'. I thought it would be useful to have them for all the C-Melody manufacturers together in one place (and in alphabetical order, not preference...). Links to pages with more comprehensive serial number listings, and further model info, are included with each list, as are references to the origins of the data. I'd just like to say a great big ' Thanks ! ' to anyone involved in compiling and/or publishing those lists - very much appreciated !!
Please note that C-Melody 'stencil' serial numbers don't usually correspond with the relevant manufacturers 'own brand name' sequences - there are some theories as to how you can work the date out, but I'm afraid the answer is usually just ' made in the 1920's... '
Also be aware that the serial numbers below weren't just for C-Melody saxes, each instrument produced was assigned a sequential unique number, so (for example) in Jan-1924, 60993 could have been a Tenor Sax, 60994 a C-Mel, 60995 a Soprano, etc. etc. - at least that's how I understand it ? Thinking about that, it's probably more logical that the numbers were assigned in 'blocks' to maybe a group C-Mel's, then alto's etc. for a certain production run. Each group of bodies could then be stamped sequentially. Anybody out there know how it really was ?
So anyway, you should also be able to use these lists to date some of the vintage saxes of that period.
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A C-Sax may be available for purchase -email me | Please note- the following links are to pictures of, and information about, C-Melody Saxophones that either I've owned/sold, or as supplied by otherowners/sellers. Some of the text may not now be relevant - I am slowly editing the pages as I find corrections are needed - the information is provided here just for reference. Please enjoy ! | quick stencil identification(coming... ) |
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| Buescher (below) | Conn (below) | Martin (below) |
'23 Two-Tone'27 GOLD | Conn(straight/alto style neck) | '20's The Martin |
| '25 - lacquer / amber rollers | Conn(curved/tenor style neck) | '30's Martin Handcraft |
another '25 - beautiful Bare Brass ! | Masterbilt<Conn Stencils>Pan American | Horace-Martin stencil |
and a*'25/26 in Silver Plate | ||
Ditson<Buescher stencils>Lyon & Healy | King (below) | |
| King - Silver plate(needs cleaning...) | ||
| .King Stencil - Lyon & Healy | ||
| .. | ||
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| Couesnon < new 2008 | Hawkes and Son< new 2008 | |
| Holton | Kohlert | |
| Holton - Wiedoeft model | Oscar - Adler | Selmer Modele 22 |
| Thibouville-Lamy | Selmer Cigar Cutter - they exist ! | |
| York | Vito | Weril ( Brazil ) |
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Holton Collegiate Trombone Serial Number
Just a selection of serial number lists - many more available on the internet...
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Buescher
1915 25103
1916 28875
1917 32350
1918 37540
1919 46975
1920 61255
1921 78525
1922 99275
1923 125750
1924 150250
1925 175275
1926 202350
1927 222175
1928 235250
1929 275275
1930 255250
1931 260125
1932 264025
1933 265523
( courtesy of - http://www.coolsax.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/serialnos.HTM#Buescher )
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Conn
30,000 - 1914
35,000 - 1916
40,000 - 1917
50,000 - 1919
58,000 - 1920
64,000 - 1921
83,000 - 1922
101,775 - 1923
124,600 - 1924
145,400 - 1925
167,900 - 1926
193,450 - 1927
209,250 - 1928
224,600 - 1929
237,800 - 1930
244,700 - 1931
249,230 - 1932
256,501 - 1933
( courtesy of - http://www.fortunecity.co.uk/madchester/rave/360/conn_serial.html )
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Evette & Schaeffer ( Buffet Crampon )
19500 17.09.1910
20000 21.01.1911
20500 02.03.1912
21000 11.05.1912
21500 20.11.1912
22000 30.07.1913
22500 11.07.1914
23000 08.06.1916
23500 17.01.1917
24000 18.03.1919
24500 27.03.1920
25000 09.07.1921
26000 14.10.1922
26500 04.08.1923
27000 31.05.1924
27500 15.11.1924
28000 11.07.1925
29000 25.09.1926
( courtesy of - http://saxwelt.de/index.php?module=ContentExpress&file=index&func=display&ceid=61&meid=66 )
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Holton
1 1901
254 1902
476 1903
526 1904
1151 1905
1872 1906
3345 1907
4630 1908
6071 1909
9474 1910
12,402 1911
15,950 1912
20,807 1913
21,100 1914
31,622 1915
33,671 1916
37,909 1917
(note- interleaving number changes)
41,070 - 43,972 1918
55,000 - 55,249 1918
43,973 - 47,600 1919
55,250 - 57,040 1919
47,601 - 49,817 1920
57,041 - 58,499 1920
70,000 - 70,549 1920
49,818 - 54,999 1921
58,500 - 59,499 1921
70,550 - 73,199 1921
59,500 - 60,599 1922
73,200 - 76,099 1922
60,600 - 61,649 1923
76,100 - 81,000 1923
61,650 - 62,199 1924
81,001 - 85,600 1924
62,200 - 62,899 1925
85,900 - 89,849 1925
62,900 - 63,149 1926
89,850 - 92,799 1926
63,150 - 63,299 1927
92,800 - 97,199 1927
63,300 - 63,549 1928
97,200 - 101,399 1928
63,550 - 63,849 1929
101,400 - 105,199 1929
63,850 - 64,049 1930
105,200 - 108,399 1930
64,050 - 64,149 1931
108,400 - 111,049 1931
111,099 - 113,899 1932
113,990 - 114,999 1933
( courtesy of - http://www.mouthpieceheaven.com/content/holton.htm )
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King / H N White
Note: - these serial numbers should be taken with a 'pinch of salt', the accuracy is doubtful. I've heard from Joe Uebelacker, who has a King C-Melody s/no 34xxx. Going by the published serial numbers, this places it's age somewhere between 1893 and 1915 (helpful...) However, on the same website there is an announcement that the 'King C-Melody was introduced around 1916-1920' - in fact probably closer to 1920 Hrmmmmm.
Date Serial Number
1893-1915 1-50,000
1915-1925 50,000-78,000
1925-1930 78,001-126,000
1930-1935 126,001-161,000
( courtesy of - http://www.hnwhite.com/serial%20number%20sax.htm )
Note - it is rumoured, that from the 30's, King C-Mels were produced engraved as 'Cleveland'
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Martin
Serial# 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
*first digit dropped on most serial numbers
98324 2982 1930
101622 7119 1931
105096 1932
106546 1933
108301 1934
10758 111253 1935
14526 116551 1936
( courtesy of - http://www.mouthpieceheaven.com/content/serials.htm Theo Wanne )
- and a 'simpler' list -
Serial Number & Year Manufactured --- Serial Number & Year Manufactured
17,221 1919 --- 19,482 1920
23,781 1921 --- 29,942 1922
34,838 1923 --- 40,644 1924
48,489 1925 --- 67,852 1926
79,254 1927 --- 86,687 1928
92,536 1929 --- 98,324 1930
101,622 1931 --- 105,096 1932
106,546 1933 --- 108,301 1934
111,253 1935 --- 116,551 1936
( courtesy of - http://www.musictrader.com/martin.html )
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Selmer - Paris
( Not 'Selmer - New York', which is a US stencil )
| Year | Model | Serial Number |
| 1922 | Model 22 | 750-1400 |
| 1923 | 1401-2350 | |
| 1924 | 2351-3350 | |
| 1925 | 3351-4450 | |
| 1926 | Model 26 | 4451-5600 |
| 1927 | 5601-7850 | |
| 1928 | 7851-9700 | |
| 1929 | 9701-11950 | |
| 1930 | 'Cigar Cutter'/'Super Sax' | 11951-14000 |
| 1931 | 14001-15750 | |
| 1932 | 15751-17250 | |
| 1933 | 17251-18700 |
The list continues right up to 1992, so is well worth a visit - link below
( courtesy of - http://www.selmer.com/content/selmerparis/saxophones/serial_no.php )
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York
Serial Numbers Comments
0 - 8497 Made prior to 1903
8500 - 57,000 Made between 1903 and 1913
57,000 - 112,000 Made between 1913-1938
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A few Stencil names- ( I'm sure there are loads more out there..... )
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Holton Serial Number Chart
| American Professional - Lyon & Healy | A Buescher stencil, and earlier their 'own' Martin hybrid - see 'Note 1' below |
| Beaumont American , Chicago | |
| Bettoney | my 'spares' C-Mel, definitely Martin, also made by Conn (thanks to Richard Brown) |
| Bruno | Seen as a Conn stencil, with 'mercedes' low C guard - curved neck. |
| Carl Fischer | Importer, Buescher Stencil, also 'badged ' Evette & Schaeffer ( Buffet Crampon ) |
| Champion | Seen as a Conn stencil, with 'mercedes' low C guard - curved neck. |
| Concertone | |
| Couturier - Lyon & Healy | This was, I think, one of Lyon & Healy's earlier 'own' horns |
| C R Peronze | Agents for York |
| Ditson ( Oliver) | Musical Instrument dealer/supplier |
| Elkhart | Buescher and/or Martin - the name was used later for 50's Buescher saxes |
| Elkhorn - Holton | Not really a stencil, Holton's C-Melody, but I've seen them listed as such. |
| Gretsch | The one I've got is a Buescher stencil |
| Jenkins / Kankas | Seen as a Buescher stencil |
| Harwood Professional | Seen as a Buescher stencil |
| Horace / Landay Bros. NY | I had one - a Martin Stencil |
| Inspiration - Lyon & Healy | also engraved Lyon & Healy, their own ? - see 'Note 1' below |
| Kalashen / J Kalashen | Seen as a Buescher stencil |
| Lyon & Healy | Made some of their own - see 'Note 1' below |
| Masterbilt | I've fleetingly had one, made by Conn |
| Pan American | Conn's own stencil, great sax ! Curved (tenor style) neck |
| Perfection / Bruno | also seen as Perfakten / Perfacktone , on other saxes as well |
| Selmer American - New York | Conn stencil, has 'mercedes' low C guard |
| Silva-Lae / Naujoks McLaughlin | - who also made a great 'silver-lay' C-Melody mouthpiece |
| Winterroth | Conn stencil, curved (tenor style) neck |
| Wurlitzer | Seen as Buescher , Conn , and Martin stencils |
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Note 1 - Lyon & Healy either made, designed, or commissioned their 'own' C-Melody saxes at the start of the era, from parts seemingly supplied by the major manufacturers. Typically those 'own' models have a strange mix of the Martin body (with bevelled tone-holes), but with the Conn 'mercedes' low C guard, and either a Martin style neck (straight brace) or a Conn style neck (curved brace). (but) I've also seen one 'Gretsch' stencil with the same mix........
Later Lyon & Healy C-Melody's were pure Buescher or Martin stencils. King also produced a limited number of stencils engraved Lyon & Healy Inspiration, usefully with the aux-Front-F key, but without the 'double-G' cup. I own one of those - it's my backup C-Mel, check out Big Ugly , also featured at the top of this page.
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