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!