King Serial Numbers

bramnash · by **bramnash** » 2022-04-21 11:10 a.m.

My King 3B Concert has only a 4-digit serial number: 7154

I don't seem to be able to track down how old it is from this.

Any help and information will be most appreciated!

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2022-04-21 11:41 a.m.

The 7154 is a part number. All King slides have one. There should be a 6 digit number that is the serial near the bell joint. Note that the 3B first appeared in 1955. King was using 6 digit serials long before that.

Sometimes a picture of the bell engraving can help the King fanatics on the Forum estimate the date.

bramnash · by **bramnash** » 2022-04-21 2:21 p.m.

Seems unusual then. There are only the four digits 7154

Kingfan · by **Kingfan** » 2022-04-21 4:08 p.m.

[quote="bramnash"]Seems unusual then. There are only the four digits 7154[/quote]

Where are those numbers located?

flotrb · by **flotrb** » 2022-04-21 6:11 p.m.

I was informed, when trying to identify my Bach Soloist manufacture date with Conn-Selmer, that the 4-digit numbers are used to keep up with the parts to match to the instrument. My 4-digit numbers are on the outside slide.

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2022-04-21 6:52 p.m.

King 3B slides and bell sections get swapped around a lot because they are/were compatible over about 6 decades. If you have an older bell section and a newer slide it is possible to have a 3B with no serial number. The bell section engraving is very helpful in dating a bell section. You should post a photo. In fact, a photos of the slide (top and bottom of outer slide) and anything stamped on the inner slide hand grip area would be helpful in dating each component.

trose02 · 2022-11-12 2:05 p.m.

For those seeking info about King serial numbers, please see the following --->~~[url]~~https://www.hnwhite.com/Serial%20Numbers.htm

(3/31/23 - updated url to reflect new page location)

- T.

Paulyd · by **Paulyd** » 2023-02-01 2:26 p.m.

First post. How accurate are the serial numbers on the hnwhite.com site?

Taan · by **Taan** » 2023-05-10 5:55 a.m.

The only number close to a serialnumber I can find on my (borrowed) 2103 /3B only has 5 digits

it's 80756 and it's near the screwjoint where you put the slide on.

It has an F valve and it has that orange lacquer. Any idea how I could put a build date to this instrument?

It should be at least 30 years old, knowing a bit of the history.

Could there be a hidden place for the serialnumber?

There are also some other shorter numbers on it, but I guess those are partnumbers.

The bell sais:

[Drawing of a crown]

King

2103

USA

3B

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2023-05-11 1:46 a.m.

King serial #s are pretty much always 6 digits. Is it possible there is a 6th digit at the end of that number that you missed? That would put your number (80756x) in the area of 1980 - which is consistent with the bell engraving.

Taan · by **Taan** » 2023-05-11 4:52 a.m.

thnx, maybe the engraving guy forgot the last number after his lunchbreak :D

kristian70214 · by **kristian70214** » 2024-09-15 11:14 p.m.

Hi guys my name is chris, I recently purchased a king 601 trumpet at a pawn shop for $79 serial number 166529 can anybody tell me more about it?

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