Professional Selmer Paris models often have the model name (e.g., "Series 9" or "Recital") stamped on the upper joint or bell, while older "stencil" or student models may only have the serial number. Selmer Paris Serial Number Chart (1927–1981)
Here are some approximate production date ranges and corresponding serial number prefixes for Selmer clarinets: selmer clarinet serial numbers
Note: Selmer USA serials are poorly documented compared to Paris. Many instruments lack consistent records due to multiple buyouts (Conn-Selmer, Steinway). Professional Selmer Paris models often have the model
Selmer Paris used a letter-prefix system starting in the early 1930s. Each letter roughly corresponds to a specific era of production. Serial Range Approximate Year Key Milestone / Model 1927 – 1931 Early Pre-Series Models L1000 – L9900 1931 – 1939 M1000 – M8000 1939 – 1946 M-Series (Production sketchy during WWII) N100 – N8100 1946 – 1951 N-Series (Post-WWII expansion) P1200 – P7400 1952 – 1954 P-Series (Centered Tone models) Q1100 – Q7290 1955 – 1957 R1200 – R6100 1958 – 1959 S1150 – S7390 1960 – 1962 S-Series (Series 9 introduced in 1960) T1400 – T5800 1963 – 1964 U1100 – U5700 1965 – 1966 V1000 – V7900 1967 – 1969 W1700 – W5900 1970 – 1971 X1500 – X6400 1972 – 1973 Y1200 – Y6300 1974 – 1975 Z1100 – Z5200 1976 – 1977 A1000+ B0478+ 1980 – 1981 B-Series (Example: Series 10S) Identifying Different Selmer Lines Selmer Paris used a letter-prefix system starting in
Professional Selmer Paris models often have the model name (e.g., "Series 9" or "Recital") stamped on the upper joint or bell, while older "stencil" or student models may only have the serial number. Selmer Paris Serial Number Chart (1927–1981)
Here are some approximate production date ranges and corresponding serial number prefixes for Selmer clarinets:
Note: Selmer USA serials are poorly documented compared to Paris. Many instruments lack consistent records due to multiple buyouts (Conn-Selmer, Steinway).
Selmer Paris used a letter-prefix system starting in the early 1930s. Each letter roughly corresponds to a specific era of production. Serial Range Approximate Year Key Milestone / Model 1927 – 1931 Early Pre-Series Models L1000 – L9900 1931 – 1939 M1000 – M8000 1939 – 1946 M-Series (Production sketchy during WWII) N100 – N8100 1946 – 1951 N-Series (Post-WWII expansion) P1200 – P7400 1952 – 1954 P-Series (Centered Tone models) Q1100 – Q7290 1955 – 1957 R1200 – R6100 1958 – 1959 S1150 – S7390 1960 – 1962 S-Series (Series 9 introduced in 1960) T1400 – T5800 1963 – 1964 U1100 – U5700 1965 – 1966 V1000 – V7900 1967 – 1969 W1700 – W5900 1970 – 1971 X1500 – X6400 1972 – 1973 Y1200 – Y6300 1974 – 1975 Z1100 – Z5200 1976 – 1977 A1000+ B0478+ 1980 – 1981 B-Series (Example: Series 10S) Identifying Different Selmer Lines