how do you guys read serial numbers?

[SteveF]

I bought a conn c melody sax straight neck, I will get it overhauled soon.
but I want to know what year it was made. this is what it says on the back.
pat. dec 8 1914
1119954
C
72119
L
any help ??
:)

[Sigmund451]

The first long number I believe is the pattent number, the one under the C is the serial. Now on the net type in Conn Serial Numbers. Look where that number falls and there you have it..the year. Simple no hassle. Works the same with other makes as well except for a few companies such as Leblanc where records were destroyed in fires and such.

[Jerry K.]

1119954 -- Patent Number
C -- C melody
72119 -- Serial Number
L -- Low Pitch


Serial Numbers:

64000 -- 1921

83000 -- 1922

101775 -- 1923

Looks like your horn was made in 1921.

[SteveF]

thank you so much guys, I just checked it and yes it is 1921 :D

[bassclarinet]

Gentlemen, obviously this serial number listing does not cover Conn Stencils. I have a "Beaufort American, Chicago, C, Low pitch, Serial P32498 and can't find out anything about the company or the date. Any help out there
Bob Arney

[paulwl]

No records for Conn's "P" series stencil numbers survive, but I did get a story along with a York bass sax I bought, made by Conn and numbered P22xxx. Its former owner supposedly met the man who made sax keys for York. This craftsman supposedly remembered the horn and was able to date it to 1925!

Perhaps that helps...anyway, it's as close as we're likely to get. P32xxx seems later than your "typical" P number, indicating a horn from after the boom years of the early-to-mid 20s. C melodies made after 1930 are almost unheard of, so that's a good upper limit for the age of your horn.

[bassclarinet]

Thanks, that's about as far as I've gotten with no mention by anyone of the Company.
Bob A