What Year is My Martin?

How to Read Martin Guitar Serial Numbers

So you have a vintage Martin guitar in your possession? Wonderful news: Martin steel string flat-top guitars from the 1930s through the 1960s are not only national treasures, they can sell for large sums of money due to high-demand by musicians and collectors alike. Here at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, TN, Music City U.S.A., we have established a reputation for transparency and ultimately helping vintage Martin guitar owners sell their instruments for their maximum value; our consignment program is the most competitive in the industry! 

Your first question is probably: What year is my Martin guitar? Martin guitar serial numbers are found stamped on the wooden neck block, visible inside the soundhole. Your next question is probably: What model is my Martin guitar?, that’s that group of numbers and/or letters above the serial number: i.e. 000-18, D-28, 00-18E.  We here at Carter Vintage Guitars are experts in vintage Martin guitar authentication and offer hands-on and online vintage guitar appraisal packages. That being said dating a vintage Martin guitar can be done with the following Martin serial number chart:

The serial number found in the last guitar built that year that is listed:

  • 1920   15848
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

We love vintage Martin Guitars and regularly sell 1930s and 1940s D-28s, 000-28s, and D-18s between $30k- $200k. The sky can be the limit for some rarer examples with a sunburst finish or pearl appointments. The 1950s and 1960s Martins are equally big hits with the singer-songwriter community in Nashville and sell for higher prices here at Carter Vintage Guitars than anywhere else in the country. Contact us if you have a vintage Martin guitar you would like to sell!


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