Serialization 1903-1960

Identifying Gibson mandolins by serial number is tricky at best, and downright impossible in some cases. The best method of identifying them is to use a combination of the serial number, the factory order number and any features that are particular to a specific time (i.e. logo design change, feature changes, etc).
In addition to the above serial number information, Gibson also used Factory Order Numbers (FON) to track batches of instruments being produced at the time. In the earlier years at Gibson, mandolins and guitars were normally built in batches of forty instruments. Gibson's Factory Order Numbers were an internal coding that followed the group of instruments through the factory. Thus, the older Gibson mandolins may have a serial number and a FON. The FON may indicate the year, batch number, and the ranking (order of production within the batch of forty).
This system is useful in helping to date and authenticate instruments. There are three separate groupings of numbers that have been identified and which are used for their accuracy. The numbers are usually stamped or written on the instrument's back and seen through the lower f-hole or round soundhole, or maybe impressed on the back of the headstock.
Code Letter FONs were discontinued after 1941, and any instruments made during or right after World War II do not bear an FON codes. In 1949, a four-digit FON was used, but not in conjunction with any code letter indicating the year.
From 1952-1961, the FON scheme followed the pattern of a letter, the batch number, and an instrument ranking number (when the guitar was built in the run of forty). The FON is the only identification number on Gibson's lower grade models which do not feature a paper label. Higher grade models feature both a serial number and a FON. When both numbers are present on a higher grade model, remember that the FON was assigned at the beginning of the production run, while the serial number was recorded later (before shipping). The serial number would properly indicate the actual date of the mandolin.
1902-1947: The first serialization system was started in 1902. The serial numbers started with number 100 and run up to 99999. All numbers are approximates. In most cases, only the upper end instruments were assigned identification numbers. Serial numbers appear ink-stamped on a white paper label.
FONs were first used in 1935. Other FONs may appear that aren't listed here that were produced during WWII. From 1935 to 1937, the letter appeared between the batch and instrument numbers (i.e. 722 A 23, 465 D 58, 863 E 02). The number is ink-stamped inside the mandolin on the back. In 1938, the FON was changed to a two- or three-letter prefix before the batch and instrument numbers. The first letter indicates the year, the second indicates the brand (i.e. G for Gibson, K for Kalamazoo), and the third (if applicable) for electric. The FON is either ink-stamped on the label or on the back of the headstock.
Nick Lucas models produced between 1928 and 1933, will all have serial numbers from 1928 or 1929.
SERIAL NUMBERS
APPROX. LAST NUMBER YEAR
1500 - 1903
2500 - 1904
3500 - 1905
5500 - 1906
8300 - 1907
9700 - 1908
10100 - 1909
10600 - 1910
10850 - 1911
13350 - 1912
16100 - 1913
20150 - 1914
25150 - 1915
32000 - 1916
39500 - 1917
47900 - 1918
53800 - 1919
63650 - 1920
69300 - 1921
71400 - 1922
74900 - 1923
81200 - 1924
82700 - 1925
83600 - 1926
85400 - 1927
87300 - 1928
89750 - 1929
90200 - 1930
90450 - 1931
90700 - 1932
91400 - 1933
92300 - 1934
92800 - 1935
94100 - 1936
95200 - 1937
95750 - 1938
96050 - 1939
96600 - 1940
97400 - 1941
97700 - 1942
97850 - 1943
98250 - 1944
98650 - 1945
99300 - 1946
99999 - 1947
FACTORY ORDER NUMBERS (FON)
BATCH NUMBERS YEAR
259 - 1908
309 - 1909
545, 927 - 1910
1260, 1295 - 1911
1408, 1593 - 1912
1811, 1902 - 1913
1936, 2152 - 1914
2209, 3207 - 1915
2667, 3508 - 1916
3246, 11010 - 1917
9839, 11159 - 1918
11146, 11212 - 1919
11329, 11367 - 1920
11375, 11527 - 1921
11565, 11729 - 1922
11973 -1923
LETTER YEAR
A - 1935
B - 1936
C - 1937
D - 1938
DA - 1938
E(X, OR
OTHER LETTERS) - 1939
E - 1941
F - 1940
FA - 1940
G - 1941
H - 1942
1947-1961: Gibson changed their serialization system once they reached 99999 and decided they did not want to go to a six-digit system. Instead, they added an A prefix followed by a three-, four-, or five-digit number. The new system started on April 28, 1947 with number A 100. The last number was used on February 21, 1961. From 1947 to early 1955, white oval labels were used. In early 1955, the label was changed to an orange oval. Serial numbers are on the label and FONs are ink-stamped on the inside back of the mandolin. FONs consisted of a letter, four-digit batch number, and count number (i.e. Y 2230 21, V 4867 8, R 6785 15). FONs were discontinued after Gibson changed to the new serialization system in 1961.
SERIAL NUMBERS
APPROX. LAST NUMBER YEAR
A 1304 - 1947
A 2665 - 1948
A 4413 - 1949
A 6597 - 1950
A 9419 - 1951
A 12462 - 1952
A 16101 - 1953
A 18667 - 1954
A 21909 - 1955
A 24755 - 1956
A 26819 - 1957
A 28880 - 1958
A 32284 - 1959
A 35645 - 1960
A 36147 - 1961
700-1000S - 1947
1100-3700S - 1948
3700-4500S - EARLY 1949
2000S - LATE 1949
3000-5000S - 1950
6000-9000S - 1951
FACTORY ORDER NUMBERS (FON)
LETTER/NUMBER YEAR
Z - 1952
Y - 1953
X - 1954
W - 1955
V - 1956
U - 1957
T - 1958
S - 1959
R 1960
Q - 1961