Germany · since 1925
Keilwerth serial numbers
Graslitz to Nauheim: two sequences with a restart.
Julius Keilwerth built saxophones in Graslitz (Bohemia) and, after the war, in Nauheim near Frankfurt — where numbering restarted around 20,000. The archive keeps the two sequences apart and marks numbers that fit both as ambiguous.
The numbering
- Keilwerth Graslitz (Bohemia) production, to c. 1944
Saxophone — 14 ranges - Keilwerth Nauheim (Germany) production, serials restart at 20,000 (c. 1946-)
Saxophone — 58 ranges
Before 1945 Keilwerth worked in Graslitz (Bohemia). One sequence, from 1 to about 19,600. The chart is the one Bassic-Sax publishes as 'provided by Keilwerth'.
Keilwerth relocated from Graslitz to Nauheim in 1944 and restarted serials at 20,000 around 1946. The same number cannot belong to both runs, so the era must be established first (features/keywork), then the chart applied.
Codes, eras and engraving
Two sequences and their badge markers (Graslitz / Nauheim) — about 1925-1990
Resolver only: the badge selects the sequence, the number gives the year within it. Keilwerth also built stencil horns for other sellers, which carry Keilwerth numbers under another name.
| Julius Keilwerth / Graslitz badge | Pre-war Bohemian sequence; the number does not continue into the post-war series. | |
| Keilwerth Nauheim badge | Post-war sequence restarting near 20 000; bassic-sax publishes the table 'provided by Keilwerth'. |
Source: bassic-sax.info
Models in the archive
9 models catalogued, 3 with a basis-labeled price — Full catalogue assembled in chat-4 (chat-3 minimal rows preserved). Existing chat-3 rows keep their original confidence type; chat-4 rows use high/medium/low. Prices live in prices.json of the same brand.
Questions
Can this archive date Keilwerth instruments from the serial number?
Yes — the archive covers 2 numbering sequence(s) and 72 dating ranges from 1925 to 2007, compiled from published maker records and reference charts. Every answer states its source and confidence.
Where is the serial number on a Keilwerth instrument?
For Saxophones the common location is on the lower body tube near the neck receiver, or at the bell bow — lightly engraved, sometimes two numbers on one horn.
What if my Keilwerth serial number is not found?
Recheck the characters exactly as marked, including any letters. Letter prefixes often belong to student or stencil lines. Some periods may not be covered yet — every refusal here says why.