johnl
Jul-03-2008, 10:14am
I just picked up a Martin style B, and I'm having a hard time reading the serial number. It starts with either a '36' or an '86'. Going by the Martin website, a '36' would mean 1912; is that too early for a Style B?
Bob DeVellis
Jul-03-2008, 10:20am
Only bowl backs were being produced in 1912. A serial number beginning with "86" would date to 1920, when B's were definitely in production (391 of them were made that year).
johnl
Jul-03-2008, 10:40am
Thanks, Bob; the left side of the '8' looked flat (really, more like a 'B'), and not as deep as the right side, so I wasn't sure. Anyhow, thanks for your help!
-JL