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The one thing I’m confused about is that the serial number lists state that ‘M’ prefix saxophones were manufactured in 1969, but in a prior message you indicated that M 242xxx was a 1930’s serial number.  Based on that information, this saxophone could have been manufactured in 1927.  I’ve had it since the mid-70’s, so either date is a possibility to me.  I’d also like to thank you for your wonderful website.  It’s marvelous! Kiara ...

The seeming s/n discrepancy is easy to explain. Conn began using an ‘M’ to precede the sequential s/n at about 145xxx, which corresponds with the introduction of the nail file G#. That’s the traditional ‘Chu Berry’ demarcation. The ‘M’ prefix continued as long as did rolled tone holes, which is to say, mid 1947. Later, in the 1960s, Conn changed its s/n assignment method so that 6 digits (or characters) could be maintained. This was as the numbers approached 1,000,000. 

The scheme Conn adopted consisted of a letter followed by a 5 digit sequential number. At the turn of each 100,000 the letter increased by one character, and the numbers started over. This scheme ended when Conn ceased USA operations, at which time the sequence was up to ‘N’ plus xxxxxx. So there are 99,999 Conn instruments with an Mxxxxx s/n that have nothing at all to do with the great Conns of old. This makes for some confusion, except that these very late Conn instruments bear only a general design resemblance to the ‘good’ Conns. They are mostly cheaply made horns with the shooting stars engraving pattern & stamped metal keyguards. There may be a few 6-10-12M models in the group, but those will have straight tone holes.

Likewise, there is confusion over the horns with the ‘N’ prefix, since all the MexiConn saxes, made in Nogales, Mexico, also have s/ns that start with ‘N’. This mystery is likewise easy to solve, cuz the Mexican horns are stamped ‘Mexico’ under the s/n. It’s all very esoteric, I know -- but clear as can be to a real Conn-oisseur.