Do Conn serial numbers apply to all instruments or just saxophones?

Conn used a single shared serial number sequence across all their instruments — saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and others. This means the serial number chart on this page can give you an approximate year for any Conn instrument, though the model descriptions focus on saxophones.

Conn Sax Serial Numbers

By SaxTeacher UK 28 Mar 2026 7 min read

C.G. Conn produced the very first saxophone built in the United States back in 1888, and the company went on to create some of the most celebrated horns in jazz history. The Conn 10M tenor — nicknamed the "Naked Lady" — and the Conn 6M alto remain among the most prized vintage saxophones in the world. Whether you've found one at a car boot sale, inherited a family instrument, or you're eyeing a purchase, the first step is always the same: check the Conn sax serial numbers to find its approximate year of manufacture. This page gives you a complete Conn saxophone serial numbers chart, an instant lookup tool, and a guide to every major model from 1894 to 1991.

Where to Find It

The serial number is usually stamped on the back of the body tube, below the thumb rest. Don't confuse it with the patent number (1119954) which refers to the drawn tone hole patent and often appears nearby.

Shared Serial Numbers

Conn used one serial number sequence across all instruments — saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and more. This chart works for any Conn instrument, though model descriptions here focus on saxophones.

Conn New Wonder II Chu Berry saxophone — a vintage Conn sax used to illustrate this Conn serial numbers guide

Pictured: A Conn New Wonder II — the legendary "Chu Berry" model — from the SaxTeacher UK collection. Produced between 1925 and 1930, the New Wonder II is one of the most revered vintage American saxophones, known for its warm, resonant tone and superb craftsmanship.

The Conn New Wonder II holds a special place in saxophone history. Unofficially nicknamed the "Chu Berry" after the great jazz tenor saxophonist Leon "Chu" Berry, these instruments represent the peak of Conn's 1920s craftsmanship. They feature drawn and rolled tone holes, beautifully detailed engraving, and — on many alto models — the Conn Microtuner, a built-in tuning device on the mouthpiece receiver. The warm, spread tone of a well-set-up Chu Berry is unlike anything produced today, which is why these horns continue to be sought after by professional players nearly a century later. If you have a Conn saxophone with a serial number between roughly 145,400 and 244,700, you're likely holding one of these treasured instruments — use the lookup tool below to confirm.

Serial Number Lookup

Enter your serial number to date your Conn saxophone

Conn Saxophone Serial Number Checker

What year is my Conn saxophone?

Enter the numeric portion of your Conn serial number. This tool covers Conn saxophones produced between 1894 and 1991. If your serial number has a letter prefix (common from the 1960s onwards), enter just the numbers. For instruments made from 1987 onward, you can also date your horn by adding 50 to the first two digits of the serial number — for example, a serial starting with 39 was made in 1989 (39 + 50 = 89). The tool covers every major Conn sax model including the Conn 10M tenor, the Conn 6M alto, and the New Wonder "Chu Berry" models.

Conn Saxophone Model Guide

A brief history of each major Conn sax model

Conn's saxophone history spans over a century, from the first American-built saxophone in 1888 to the end of US production. The company produced some of the most influential saxophones in jazz history — from the early Wonder models through to the legendary Conn 10M "Naked Lady" tenor and Conn 6M alto. Here's a guide to the major Conn sax models and what makes each one distinctive:

The Conn 10M and 6M — Serial Numbers and What to Look For

The Conn 10M tenor saxophone and the Conn 6M alto are the two most searched-for Conn models, and for good reason. Produced as part of the M-Series (Artist) line from 1934 onwards, they fall within the serial number range of approximately 260,000 to 500,000 during the Elkhart "golden age". A Conn 10M with a serial number between 260,000 and roughly 340,000 (1934–1950) will typically have rolled tone holes — the most desirable feature on these instruments. The Conn 6M alto shares the same serial number sequence and the same timeline. If your Conn serial number falls in this range, you may be holding one of the most celebrated American saxophones ever made.

The Conn 6M alto was the instrument of choice for Johnny Hodges, the legendary lead alto saxophonist of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, whose impossibly smooth tone and gliding vibrato defined the sound of the alto saxophone for generations. Hodges played a Conn 6M for much of his career, and the horn's warm, broad sound was inseparable from his musical identity. If you'd like to explore the kind of music Hodges made famous, It Was A Sound — 12 Saxophone Pieces Inspired by Johnny Hodges is a collection of original pieces written in his style, available from SaxTeacher UK.

Whether you've just identified a vintage Conn 10M Naked Lady or confirmed you own a prized Chu Berry, the next step is making it sing. If you'd like expert guidance on getting the best out of your Conn saxophone — or any saxophone — saxophone lessons are available in person in South East London and online. From beginners picking up the instrument for the first time to advanced players working on tone and repertoire, every lesson is tailored to you. Book a lesson to get started.

Complete Serial Number Table

Every Conn saxophone from 1894 to 1991

Conn Saxophone Serial Numbers

Year	Era / Model	Serial From

Year

Era / Model

Serial From

1894

Wonder (High Pitch)

2,000

1914

New Invention (Low Pitch)

30,000

1917

New Wonder I

40,000

1925

New Wonder II / Chu Berry

145,400

1934

M-Series / Artist

260,000

1955

Late Elkhart

500,001

1960

Late Production

834,200

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the serial number on a Conn saxophone? +

On most Conn saxophones, the serial number is stamped on the back of the body tube, below the thumb rest. You may also find a patent number (1,119,954) nearby — this refers to the drawn tone hole patent licensed from William S. Haynes and is not your serial number. The model designation (e.g. 6M, 10M, 12M) is usually stamped separately.

What is a Conn 10M "Naked Lady" saxophone? +

The Conn 10M is the professional tenor saxophone model produced by C.G. Conn from around 1934 onwards as part of the Artist (M-Series) line. The "Naked Lady" nickname refers to the style of engraving often found on the bell, which typically features a female figure in a landscape. The Conn 10M tenor is widely regarded as one of the finest American-made tenor saxophones ever produced, prized for its big, warm, powerful sound.

What is a Conn "Chu Berry" saxophone? +

The "Chu Berry" is an unofficial nickname for the Conn New Wonder Series II saxophone, produced from approximately 1925 to 1930. The name honours the great tenor saxophonist Leon "Chu" Berry, although Berry himself is believed to have played a later Transitional/Standard model. These horns are prized for their warm, rich tone and excellent build quality.

What is the most sought-after Conn saxophone? +

The Conn 10M tenor sax and the Conn 6M alto from the late 1930s through the early 1950s are the most sought-after Conn saxophones. Instruments with rolled tone holes (discontinued around 1948) are especially desirable. The rarer Conn 26M Connqueror alto and 30M Connqueror tenor — with their elaborate engraving and "Permajust" key regulation — are also highly prized but much harder to find.

What does "rolled tone holes" mean on a Conn saxophone? +

Rolled tone holes are a premium manufacturing technique where the rim of each tone hole is curled back on itself, creating a smooth rounded edge. Conn introduced drawn and rolled tone holes around 1919–1920 using a patent licensed from flute maker William S. Haynes. These improve the pad seal and are considered a hallmark of Conn's finest instruments. Rolled tone holes were discontinued around 1948, making pre-1948 Conn saxophones especially desirable.

Do Conn serial numbers work for all instrument types? +

Yes. Conn used a single sequential serial number run across all their instruments — saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and others all share the same sequence. The serial number chart on this page can give you an approximate manufacturing year for any Conn instrument. The model number (6M for alto, 10M for tenor, 12M for baritone) identifies the specific saxophone type.

My Conn serial number has a letter prefix — what does it mean? +

Conn began using letter prefixes on serial numbers from 1963, starting with "C". Earlier saxophones (particularly the New Wonder II era from the 1920s–30s) sometimes have an "M" prefix which simply stands for saxophone. Be careful not to confuse an "M"-prefix New Wonder II (6-digit number after the M) with a 1960s instrument (5-digit number after the M). From 1987 onwards, you can date your Conn by adding 50 to the first two digits of the serial number.

Can I get help learning to play my Conn with saxophone lessons? +

Absolutely. Whether you've just acquired your first Conn saxophone or you're a returning player dusting off a vintage horn, working with a teacher will help you get the most out of it. SaxTeacher UK offers saxophone lessons in person in South East London and online — covering everything from your first notes to advanced jazz improvisation. Get in touch to book a lesson.

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SaxTeacher UK is a woodwind and piano teacher based in South East London. With 17 years of individual and group tuition experience. Get in touch for in-person or online lessons.

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