Serial numbers by instrument
French horn serial number lookup.
Horns are numbered on the rotors or the valve section, and the location moved over the decades. Single and double horns at the same maker may share one sequence.
Where the number lives: on a rotor casing or the valve section; locations vary by era.Full guide → Makers in the archive · 955 dating ranges
- Besson
- 1858–2006 · 53 dating ranges
- Conn
- 1876–2005 · 164 dating ranges
- Getzen
- 1964–1994 · 146 dating ranges
- Holton
- 1901–1980 · 80 dating ranges
- Jupiter
- 1986–2026 · 41 dating ranges
- King
- 1893–2000 · 58 dating ranges
- Martin
- 1902–1964 · 102 dating ranges
- Olds
- 1954–1979 · 24 dating ranges
- Schilke
- 1961–1976 · 62 dating ranges
- York
- 1890–1971 · 80 dating ranges
Ranges compiled from published charts — each record cites its source.
Further reading
Frequently asked
Where is the serial number on a french horn?
On a rotor casing or the valve section; locations vary by era. Markings and exact positions vary by maker and era — the serial number guide covers the common locations for every instrument.
Which makers does the archive cover for french horn?
14 makers with 955 dating ranges are listed on this page. Coverage grows as more maker records and historical tables are verified.
What if my french horn serial number isn’t found?
Recheck the characters exactly as marked — letters and leading zeros are part of the number. Letter prefixes often belong to student or non-domestic lines, and some production periods are simply not covered yet.