Serial number dating / National
National serial number lookup
Find the year a National was built, read from National’s own numbering scheme.
Can't read a digit? Type ? in its place. Looked-up serials are kept, never tied to you. How it works
Type the serial or code from the instrument. We read it as you type.
Cross-check with a pot code
The number stamped on a potentiometer inside the guitar. It dates the part, not the whole instrument.
Example National serials and how they read
Made-up serials in each of National’s formats, read by the dater above.
| Serial | Reads as | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 19123 | 2013 | Reso-Phonic brass plate |
| X59123 | 1956 | Valco metal-plate (X) |
| 2123 | 1930 | Pre-war tricone (plain number) |
| T81234 | 1962 | Valco metal-plate (T) |
| V15123 | 1949 | Valco metal-plate (V) |
| S1234 | 1930 | Pre-war Style O |
How National serials date
- Valco metal-plate (V)
- Valco metal-plate (X)
- Valco metal-plate (T)
- Valco metal-plate (G)
- Pre-war Style O
- Reso-Phonic brass plate
- Pre-war tricone (plain number)
- Pre-war tricone (leading zero)
More on National serial numbers
How sure is it
Every result carries its confidence. Treat the year as a strong guide, not proof: a serial can be replaced, a neck and body can be from different years, and reissues copy old numbering. For anything that matters, confirm the year against the neck date, the pot codes and National Reso-Phonic tech page.
Other brands
This is one of many brands the serial number dater covers.