[Trombone-l] Conn Serial Number

[Eric & Candice Swanson]

Walter Barrett wrote:

> <>If the number was 45 632XXX, it would fit in with a mid to late 90s
> manufacture. Possibly the 4 got worn off, especially if that where you
> hold it. OW is Open Wrap? If that's true, then it won't be from 1956,
> for sure.
>
>
> Heather Nielsen wrote:
>
>>>I know this has to have been discussed before and I posted it on the
>>>Trombone Forum with no reply.  Can someone help me with trying to  
>>>figure out
>>>the year my horn was made?  
>>>
>>>Conn 88H LT OW
>>>
>>>Bell assembly #: 5 632xxx
>>>
>>>      
>>>
I go with Walter's theory.  1995 is most likely the year.  In 1987 they 
started the numbering system where the numbers were like 37 000001.  The 
"secret code" for finding out when it was made was you add 50 to the 
prefix number and that gives you the year of manufacture.  37+50= 87, so 
1987.  This is illustrated on the chart on the web site mentioned:  
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cderksen/ConnSerialsConnBrass.html

I think after a while they just started putting on the second digit.  In 
other words, your serial number:  5 632xxx should really be 45 632xxx 
dating the horn to 1995.  And as someone said, they didn't have the open 
wrap until about the 1990s and they also didn't have the 88H LT before 
that either so we know it couldn't have been made in the 1950s.

Eric Swanson