King Serial Numbers

By SaxTeacher UK 16 Jul 2026 6 min read

King saxophones, built by the H. N. White Company of Cleveland (and later Eastlake), Ohio, produced one of the most celebrated jazz horns in American history — the King Super 20. Played by Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley among many others, King saxophones from the Voll-True through to the Super 20 remain highly sought after by collectors and working musicians alike. Whether you've inherited a vintage horn, picked one up secondhand, or are weighing up a purchase, the first step is always the same: check the King serial number to find its year and model. This page gives you a complete King saxophone serial numbers chart, an instant lookup tool, and a guide to every major model from 1916 to 1986.

Not sure yours is a King? It might be a Selmer, a Conn, or a Buescher — we've got serial number guides for those too.

King serial numbers guide — date any King saxophone from 1916 to 1986, from the Voll-True to the legendary Super 20

Where to Find It

The serial number is usually stamped on the back of the body tube, near the thumb rest. Early instruments read simply "H. N. White"; from 1918 onward the engraving reads "H. N. White Co."

Approximate Dating

King's own records are patchier than Selmer's or Conn's, and even the official chart has a known uncertain stretch in the early 1960s — so treat results here as a well-informed estimate.

Serial Number Lookup

Enter your serial number to identify your King

King Saxophone Serial Number Checker

What year is my King saxophone?

Enter the numeric portion of any King saxophone serial number. The tool covers instruments from 1916 through to 1986 — from the original Voll-True through the Zephyr and Zephyr Special, to the legendary Super 20. Results show the approximate year of manufacture, the model era, and the full serial range for that period. King's own production records are patchier than some other American makers, so treat results as a well-informed estimate rather than an exact certificate — particularly for serial numbers from the early 1960s, where even the official record has a known uncertain stretch.

King Model Guide

A brief history of each King saxophone model

H. N. White produced six principal saxophone eras across seven decades, from imported student horns sold under the King name to the legendary Super 20. Here's a quick guide to what makes each era distinctive:

Whether you've just identified a vintage Zephyr or confirmed you own a prized Super 20, the next step is making it sing. If you'd like expert guidance on getting the best out of your King — 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 King saxophone era from 1883 to 1986

King Saxophone Serial Numbers

Year	Model / Era	Serial Range

Year

Model / Era

Serial Range

1883–1915

Pre-Saxophone / Early H.N. White Era

1 – 49,999

1915–1925

Voll-True

50,000 – 78,000

1946–1950

Super 20

275,001 – 305,000

1985–1986

Later King Era

976,572 – 999,999

JavaScript is disabled — enable it to see the full year-by-year table and use the lookup tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

On most King saxophones, the serial number is stamped on the back of the body tube, near the thumb rest. Early instruments (pre-1918) are engraved simply "H. N. White", sometimes alongside a small lion's head mark; from 1918 onward the engraving reads "H. N. White Co."

Why does the King serial number chart have gaps or uncertain ranges? +

King's own production records were never as fully published as Selmer's or Conn's, and the official chart now maintained by Conn-Selmer (King's current corporate owner) has a well-documented gap around the 1960 to 1965 period, first flagged by collectors comparing serial numbers against known instruments. This chart follows the official Conn-Selmer figures but folds that uncertain stretch into a wider decade range rather than presenting false precision.

Do King serial numbers before 1916 apply to saxophones? +

Not reliably. H. N. White did not build its own saxophones until 1916, importing Buffet-made horns from 1908 and Kohlert-made horns from 1910 in the years before that. A "King" saxophone with a serial number from before 1916 is most likely one of these imported instruments rather than a true H. N. White-built horn.

What is a King Super 20 and why is it so desirable? +

The King Super 20 was H. N. White's flagship professional saxophone, introduced around 1946 as a refined Zephyr Special with a redesigned neck and faster keywork. A solid sterling silver bell became available from 1947 as the "Silversonic" option. Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderley both played King altos, and the Super 20 remains one of the most sought-after vintage American saxophones today. It's often ranked alongside the Selmer Mark VI, the Conn 10M "Naked Lady", and the Buescher Aristocrat "400" as one of the great American professional saxophones.

What is the difference between King and King Cleveland models? +

Cleveland was a step-up student line built by H. N. White alongside its main King-branded saxophones, and it used its own separate serial number sequence. This chart covers King-branded saxophones (Voll-True, Zephyr, Super 20); a horn marked simply "Cleveland" should not be dated against it.

Does this chart cover the King Zephyr and Voll-True models too? +

Yes. King's saxophones — Voll-True, Zephyr, Zephyr Special, and Super 20 — all share a single serial number sequence, so this chart and lookup tool works for any King-branded saxophone regardless of model.

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

Absolutely. Whether you've just acquired your first King 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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