Using serial numbers to identify the exact production dates of Reynolds instruments is inherently inaccurate given the lack of published records to corroborate with. Except for a fragment of Reynolds' production data from 1964-1979 that is preserved in the Allied Band Supply catalog, I am not aware of any surviving official serial number records for Reynolds brass instruments. Mount and blade warband make money.
As such, the serial number lists compiled below have been based on the visual observation of engraving patterns and other instrument details that I've cross-referenced against catalog illustrations and other available historical information. I believe that, while exact dates may never be able to be accurately verified for a specific serial number, the general progression of these lists is defensible and represents Reynolds instruments through the company's history.
This primary Reynolds serial number sequence dates from 1936-1979 and includes all Reynolds instruments with the following exceptions:
- Any instrument marked 'Made by Ohio Band Instrument Co.' (includes Regent, Roth, Paramount, etc.)
- All Roth model instruments (including those marked 'made by F.A. Reynolds' or 'made by Roth-Reynolds'). All other model instruments marked 'made by Roth-Reynolds' are included in the serial number table on this page.
- All Medalist instruments made between 1961 and 1964 (SNs below 200000).
Scherl And Roth Violins
After a few brief jobs in violin departments of other companies, Roth's expertise led him to manage the Simson & Frey violin department, where his reputation grew throughout the United States and abroad. In 1932, upon the retirement of Herman Simsom, Roth teamed with Max Scherl to buy the Simson & Frey firm. They renamed it Scherl & Roth. This Scherl & Roth R301E4L violin ($1,305) has a nice, even feel, noted one of our teacher reviewers. The sound was rated good to excellent, with depth and clarity on the first three strings, but a slightly whispery G string. The varnish was heavy for our tastes but didn't seem to harm the overall tone and projection.
For these exceptions, please see the 'Ohio Band' serial number list. Lacie external drive for mac.
As such, the serial number lists compiled below have been based on the visual observation of engraving patterns and other instrument details that I've cross-referenced against catalog illustrations and other available historical information. I believe that, while exact dates may never be able to be accurately verified for a specific serial number, the general progression of these lists is defensible and represents Reynolds instruments through the company's history.
This primary Reynolds serial number sequence dates from 1936-1979 and includes all Reynolds instruments with the following exceptions:
- Any instrument marked 'Made by Ohio Band Instrument Co.' (includes Regent, Roth, Paramount, etc.)
- All Roth model instruments (including those marked 'made by F.A. Reynolds' or 'made by Roth-Reynolds'). All other model instruments marked 'made by Roth-Reynolds' are included in the serial number table on this page.
- All Medalist instruments made between 1961 and 1964 (SNs below 200000).
Scherl And Roth Violins
After a few brief jobs in violin departments of other companies, Roth's expertise led him to manage the Simson & Frey violin department, where his reputation grew throughout the United States and abroad. In 1932, upon the retirement of Herman Simsom, Roth teamed with Max Scherl to buy the Simson & Frey firm. They renamed it Scherl & Roth. This Scherl & Roth R301E4L violin ($1,305) has a nice, even feel, noted one of our teacher reviewers. The sound was rated good to excellent, with depth and clarity on the first three strings, but a slightly whispery G string. The varnish was heavy for our tastes but didn't seem to harm the overall tone and projection.
For these exceptions, please see the 'Ohio Band' serial number list. Lacie external drive for mac.
Serial No. | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | 1936 | F.A. Reynolds name first used in commerce in February 1936. |
1800 | 1938 | |
3600 | 1940 | Many instruments with SNs 4xxx-21xxx with the 'US' bell engraving and/or documented wartime purchase. |
5400 | 1942 | |
7200 | 1944 | |
9000 | 1946 | F.A. Reynolds Co. becomes a division of Scherl & Roth by mid-1946. |
16000 | 1948 | The Contempora brand was introduced in late 1949 according to U.S. trademark applications; the earliest recorded Contempora instrument is SN 20076 (trumpet). |
23000 | 1950 | |
30000 | 1952 | Instruments start to be branded 'Made by Roth-Reynolds' instead of 'Made by F.A. Reynolds'. |
35000 | c.1954 | |
40000 | 1956 | Reynolds 'Hi-Fi' cornet introduced 1955-56 (39243 lowest serial number recorded). Contempora trumpet SN 41902 purchased June 1956. |
45000 | 1957 | |
50000 | 1958 | Chambers Model horn delivered Fall 1958; 52xxx lowest serial number recorded. |
55000 | 1959 | Argenta brand introduced 1959; 545xx lowest serial number recorded. 'Hi-Fi' trumpet and trombone introduced. |
60000 | 1961 | Most instruments between SN 60000-79000 bear the RMC shield, corresponding to the 1961-1963 period that Richards Music owned Reynolds. |
65000 | 1962 | |
70000 | 1963 | |
75000 | 196x | |
80000 | 1964 | Serial numbers after 79000 appear to be made in Abilene (see 'Reynolds: 1964-1979') with Cleveland-made parts. |
85000 | 1964 | SN 85459 last known Reynolds serial number with Cleveland-made parts. |
200000 | Nov. 1964 | Serial numbers for Reynolds instruments were reset in 1964 after the company moved from Cleveland to Abilene, Texas. The new sequence started with 200,000 and was used for all instruments until 1977. |
210000 | Nov. 1965 | |
220000 | Oct. 1966 | |
230000 | Jul. 1967 | |
235000 | May 1968 | |
250000 | Nov. 1969 | |
260000 | Apr. 1971 | By 1971, all Reynolds instruments are produced in Fullerton and are marked with 'Made in USA'. |
270000 | Aug. 1972 | |
280000 | Oct. 1973 | |
290000 | Jun. 1974 | |
300000 | Sep. 1975 | |
310000 | Aug. 1976 | SN 314587 (Oct. 1977) |
A00001 | Oct. 1977 | In October 1977, Reynolds and Olds used a joint serial number sequence that started with the letter 'A'. Fewer than 50,000 instruments were made before the company ceased operations in July 1979. |
A05000 | Dec. 1977 | A05266 (Dec. 1977); A06741 (Jan. 1978) |
A10000 | Early 1978 | A10066 (Jan); A12537 (Feb); A16496 (Apr); A18163 (May). |
A20000 | Mid 1978 | A20876 (Jun); A24470 (Jul); A24706 (Aug); A28375 (Sep). |
A30000 | Late 1978 | A31565 (Oct); A34616 (Nov); A37470 (Dec) |
A40000 | Early 1979 | A40550 (Jan); Production ceased July 1979. |
Heinrich Roth was a seventh-generation violin maker who worked with his father, Ernst Heinrich Roth, and his brother, Albert, in the family shop in Markneukirchen, Germany. During the early 20th century, the family had built a reputation for making fine string instruments and sold many to visiting Americans. In 1922, Heinrich was persuaded by his American customers and friends to come to the United States, bringing the experience and reputation of Roth instruments with him.
After a few brief jobs in violin departments of other companies, Roth's expertise led him to manage the Simson & Frey violin department, where his reputation grew throughout the United States and abroad. In 1932, upon the retirement of Herman Simsom, Roth teamed with Max Scherl to buy the Simson & Frey firm. They renamed it Scherl & Roth. In 1938, the company moved from New York to Cleveland, Ohio, an early hub of violin manufacturing in the U.S.
Scherl And Roth Serial Numbers
After World War II, interest in string instruments bloomed as educators recognized the importance of developing school orchestras. Hoi4 millennium dawn cheats. Aiming to provide students with the finest instruments possible, Roth brought young, skilled violin makers from Europe to his Cleveland violin shop. Under Roth's guidance, these craftsmen established the finishing and adjusting techniques and standards to provide fine, affordable school instruments in large quantities. Those standards later became the basis for those adopted by Music Educator's National Conference (MENC). Soon Scherl & Roth became one of the largest string shops in the world as well as the nation's largest supplier of string instruments and accessories. The entire Scherl & Roth line became recognized as the preferred choice of many leading string educators.