SAXOPHONES AND SERIAL NUMBERS
To my knowledge there is no remaining F.X. Hüller serial number list. I suppose most documentation was lost during WW-II.
Let me also say that I have seen several saxophones with no serial numbers at all, only the little stamps with, for instance, “1 E” or “2 A” on the body, neck and the back of one or two palm keys are a constant factor.
So far I have discovered that there must have been four periods in saxophone production.
It all started with the MK period ( 1923-1931 ) wherein French style ''World'' saxophones were built, they came in three models: A, B and C and are very rare!
Followed by the first period ( 1932-1935 ), which contained split bell key saxophones. In the beginning of this period only ''World" models were built, later added by the ''Professional'' and ''Champion'' models.''Professional'' models were built in the 1st and 2nd period only.
In the second period (1936-1938) all the keys moved to the right side of the saxophone. In the third period ( 1938-1945 ) key work was further improved.
The lowest serial number I have seen so far in the first period was 20000, the highest 21677. The lowest in the second period was 21703, the highest 23693. The lowest in the third period was 23925, the highest 30105
I have also came across seven deviant serial numbers: 1002, 5036, 5050, 5065, 5081, 5523, 5531 and 5546. Those saxophones were all stamped “Made in Czechoslovakia” and were located in England.
Based on old FXH cataloques, warranty cards and a few saxophones that were actually marked with a date, Tobi, a German collector made the following serial number list:
1923: - MK period ''World'' models only in A, B and C
1924: - Mk period
1925: - MK period
1926: - MK period
1927: - MK period
1928: - MK period
1929: - MK period
1930: - MK period
1931: - MK period
1932: 20.000 - 20.100 ... +100 1st period ''World'' models only
1933: 20.101 - 20.500 ... + 400 1st period
1934: 20.501 - 21.000 ... + 500 1st period ''Professional''-''Champion''-''World''-''World de Luxe''
1935: 21.001 - 21.600 ... + 600 1st period
1936: 21.601 - 22.300 ... + 700 2nd period ''Professional''-''Champion''-''World''-''World de Luxe''
1937: 22.301 - 23.000 ... + 700 2nd period
1938: 23.001 - 23.700 ... + 700 2nd period ( transitional period )
1939: 23.701 - 24.400 ... + 700 3rd period ''Champion''-''World''-''World Super''-''World de Luxe''
1940: 24.401 - 25.100 ... + 700 3rd period
1941: -
1942: 26.000 - 26.500 ... + 500 3rd period, no proof available, just assumed
1943: 26.501 - 26.750 ... + 250 3rd period, no proof available, just assumed
1944: -
1945: -
1946: 30.000 - 30.100 ... + 100 3rd period, potentially using remaining parts from stock @ Amati?