Martin
Apparently some of the Martin brothers worked for York in Battle Creek, Michigan USA. After which they struck out on their own in 1904 and founded “The Martin Band Instrument Company”.
Their father, John Martin, started the original “The Martin Company” in 1865 in Chicago. Martin was an immigrant from Germany in that year. In 1871 the factory was destroyed by fire. And in 1871 he moved to Elkhart, Indiana and became one of the original workers, the 6th employee, to work for C.G. Conn.
Their saxophones are very distinctive as they have soldered on toneholes. The toneholes were fairly thick compared to regular drawn toneholes and they were also beveled. The horns are best repadded with rivet or rivetless pads for a smooth & darker tone.
Handcraft Troudador – From 1930 to 1933, 100,xxx to 110,xxx
Handcraft Imperial – from 1933 to 1935, 107,xxx to 114,xxx. LH table keys changed from a vertical Selmer mk VI style to 3 plate horizontal configuration.
A Handcraft Standard and Handcraft Standard Special was considered an Intermediate/Pro horn. Very little is really known about it other than it was sprinkled throughout a few years Handcraft production. Plastic RH pinky rollers. No Eb vent key. Considered a non-pro alternative such as the Yamaha 62 versus the Yamaha 875. At least from 111,xxx to 141,xxx, 1935 to approx 1938.
Magna – from 1956 to 1971, 200,xxx to 350,xxx
Other models: Indiana, Imperial, Medalist
Even today you can find new horns labeled Martin, though they are Asian made and have no resemblence to the original Martin instruments. In 1971 LeBlanc purchased the rights to Martin and resold Yanigasawa saxophones under the Martin brand.
| Date | Serial Number | Description (underlined items are links to pictures) |
| 1919/12/08 | 17,221 | Handcraft Pro models (1905 to approx 1929) Theoriginal Handcraft Pro was a solidly built horn with split bell keys, RH G# Trill key, and no front high F key. Early models had minimal engraving whereas later models had fairly significant and decorative engraving. One the last Pro models had a front F key. |
| 1920/11/01 | 19,482 | |
| 1921/12/29 | 23,781 | |
| 1922/08/10 | 29,942 | |
| 1923/05/01 | 34,838 | |
| 1924/01/01 | 40,644 | |
| 1925/01/01 | 48,489 | |
| 1926/01/01 | 67,852 | |
| 1927/01/01 | 79,254 | |
| 1928/01/01 | 86,687 | |
| 1929/01/01 | 92,536 | Typewriter – From 1929 to 1930, 95xxx to 100,xxx |
| 1930/01/06 | 98,324 | |
| 1931/01/01 | 101,622 | |
| 1932/01/04 | 105,096 | |
| 1933/02/06 | 106,546 | |
| 1934/01/01 | 108,301 | |
| 1935/03/01 | 111,253 | Committee (I) – from 1935 to 1938, 114,xxx to 125,xxx |
| 1936/09/01 | 116,551 | |
| 1937/01/05 | 118,038 | |
| 1938/09/01 | 126,998 | Committee II – from 1938 to 1945, 125,xxx to 150,xxxExample of a Comm II Alto 130xxx stamped “Low Pitch” |
| 1939/09/01 | 132,070 | |
| 1940/09/01 | 136,040 | |
| 1941/09/01 | 140,199 | |
| 1942/09/01 | 144,455 | Centenial – from 1942 to 1943, 141,xxx to 145,xxx |
| 1943/01/21 | 145,322 | |
| 1945/07/26 | 145,352 | The Martin (ALTO or TENOR) – from 1945 to 1971, 150,xxx to 350,xxx. Start of the rounded edge rectangle LH table keys. LH bell keys, wire guards, multi-wire bell brace, wire bow key guards. |
| 1946/07/23 | 154,289 | |
| 1947/07/22 | 161,520 | |
| 1948/07/23 | 165,326 | |
| 1949/07/20 | 170,395 | |
| 1950/01/05 | 172,215 | |
| 1951/01/16 | 175,140 | |
| 1952/01/02 | 179,317 | |
| 1953/01/05 | 183,125 | |
| 1954/01/04 | 187,614 | |
| 1955/05/10 | 193,747 | |
| 1956/01/01 | 196,213 | |
| 1957/11/04 | 201,917 | |
| 1958/02/03 | 203,809 | |
| 1959/01/28 | 205,377 | |
| 1960/12/02 | 209,089 | |
| 1961/12/13 | 211,675 | |
| 1962/07/01 | 213,999 | |
| 1963/01/08 | 218,855 |