Martin Serial Numbers
Martin Serial Numbers — Quick Guide (1898 → 1980)
Your guide to dating vintage Martin guitars.
At Garrett Park Guitars, we love vintage Martins. Martin's serial numbering is unusually consistent — which makes dating straightforward when you know where to look.
Where to look: Martin serials are normally impressed at the base of the neck and visible through the sound hole. Model numbers are often present nearby.
Tip: combine serial lookup with label inspection (format/style), top/back construction, and pot/date stamps (on electrified models) for best accuracy.
If you want to sell your Martin, contact Garrett Park Guitars.
Martin Serial Lookup
This tool uses published Martin year → last-serial tables to provide a best-guess year. For a definitive answer, include photos when you contact us.
Early Years (1898–1920)
Small production numbers, incremental yearly last-serial values — Martin used sequential numbering, making these ranges reliable for dating.
- Serial location: Base of the neck, visible through the sound hole.
- Reliability: High — Martin kept consistent sequential numbering through these years.
- What to check: Label format, top bracing, and rosette style to confirm pre-war construction.
| Year | Last Serial Number |
|---|---|
| 1898 | 8348 |
| 1899 | 8716 |
| 1900 | 9128 |
| 1901 | 9310 |
| 1902 | 9528 |
| 1903 | 9810 |
| 1904 | 9988 |
| 1905 | 10120 |
| 1906 | 10329 |
| 1907 | 10727 |
| 1908 | 10883 |
| 1909 | 11018 |
| 1910 | 11203 |
| 1911 | 11413 |
| 1912 | 11565 |
| 1913 | 11821 |
| 1914 | 12047 |
| 1915 | 12209 |
| 1916 | 12390 |
| 1917 | 12988 |
| 1918 | 13450 |
| 1919 | 14512 |
| 1920 | 15848 |
Pre-War Era (1921–1940)
Steadily rising production. These ranges are reliable for dating; label & bracing confirm construction era.
- Serial location: Neck base (sound hole view).
- Reliability: High — sequential across years.
- What to check: finish, label typography, top/bridge details.
| Year | Last Serial Number |
|---|---|
| 1921 | 16758 |
| 1922 | 17839 |
| 1923 | 19891 |
| 1924 | 22008 |
| 1925 | 24116 |
| 1926 | 28689 |
| 1927 | 34435 |
| 1928 | 37568 |
| 1929 | 40843 |
| 1930 | 45317 |
| 1931 | 49589 |
| 1932 | 52590 |
| 1933 | 55084 |
| 1934 | 58679 |
| 1935 | 61947 |
| 1936 | 65176 |
| 1937 | 68865 |
| 1938 | 71866 |
| 1939 | 74061 |
| 1940 | 76734 |
Wartime & Post-War Resurgence (1941–1960)
High production volumes; numbering remains sequential and reliable.
- Serial location: Neck base.
- Reliability: Very high — sequential numbering resumed quickly after wartime disruptions.
- What to check: label condition, bracing changes, and any factory stamps.
| Year | Last Serial Number |
|---|---|
| 1941 | 80013 |
| 1942 | 83107 |
| 1943 | 86724 |
| 1944 | 90149 |
| 1945 | 93623 |
| 1946 | 98158 |
| 1947 | 103468 |
| 1948 | 108269 |
| 1949 | 112961 |
| 1950 | 117961 |
| 1951 | 122799 |
| 1952 | 128436 |
| 1953 | 134501 |
| 1954 | 141345 |
| 1955 | 147328 |
| 1956 | 153225 |
| 1957 | 159061 |
| 1958 | 165576 |
| 1959 | 171047 |
| 1960 | 175689 |
Modern Expansion (1961–1980)
Rapid expansion — sequential numbering continues to provide accurate dating.
- Serial location: Neck base / sound hole.
- Reliability: High — Martin kept sequential numbering through the 1970s.
- What to check: label style (modern vs older type), finish, and construction notes (e.g., dovetail variations).
| Year | Last Serial Number |
|---|---|
| 1961 | 181297 |
| 1962 | 187384 |
| 1963 | 193327 |
| 1964 | 199626 |
| 1965 | 207030 |
| 1966 | 217215 |
| 1967 | 230095 |
| 1968 | 241925 |
| 1969 | 256003 |
| 1970 | 271633 |
| 1971 | 294270 |
| 1972 | 313302 |
| 1973 | 333873 |
| 1974 | 353387 |
| 1975 | 371828 |
| 1976 | 388800 |
| 1977 | 399625 |
| 1978 | 407800 |
| 1979 | 419900 |
| 1980 | 430300 |
Need help dating your Martin? Contact Garrett Park Guitars and include clear photos of the serial (visible through the sound hole), the label, and any unique construction features.