Maton Serial Numbers


We've had a few vintage Maton Supremes through here, but this was the oldest one yet (until I imported #656 from New Zealand in mid October 2009). The Supreme was made both as an acoustic (F240) and electric (EG240) archtop, which was made between 1953 and 1962 (serial numbers 304 to 1691). Serial number on this guitar - 759 - indicates a likely 1956 build.

This vintage electric archtop guitar has a Mahogany body, with a laminated Maple top. Neck is laminated Mahogany and Maple, and the fretboard is either Rosewood or an Australian equivalent.

This guitar has just come back from a full checkover, fret dress and service with Jim Cargill, and ready for another fifty-something years of playing! Neck set is great, and action and playability superb. And it's a REAL archtop, with a full 17' wide body (depth is 3 1/2') and a 25 1/2 inch scale. Maton's marketing at the time said, 'The slim, smooth neck and low frets make playing effortless and fast'. This one's certainly effortless and fast! Neck angle is superb - a completely no-issues vintage Maton archtop.

I love the pickups on these very early EG240s - a great single-coil bar-magnet pickup completely floating in the cavity, suspended from a bracket just as the original Charlie Christian pickups as first used on Gibson's ES-150 models in 1936. This pickup is normally hidden under the cool plastic cover, but I have photographed the one on my '55, and can be seen here.

The guitar is in good, totally original condition, with no cracks, and only some (quite numerous) scratches to the finish. The tailpiece has been engraved at some stage with what looks like a previous owner's licence number (quite hard to see), and a strap button was once located into the side near the neck. These can all be seen in the 'more pictures' link below.

The guitar comes with its original case, the main structure of which is in surprisingly good condition, considering It has been protecting the guitar for more than 50 years! The hinges have come away from the case, requiring new screws or panel pins to be fitted - I'll see if I can find the time to see to this before the guitar sells - and the handle is missing, but the overall structure of the 'fibreboard' (cardboard) case is still surprisingly firm and robust.

This guitar was being retained by me for my own use, as it is one of the best-sounding electric archtops I have ever come across, whether plugged into a vintage valve amp or my AER AcoustiCube3 solid-state acoustic amp. It is only the fact that I just imported an identical and slightly earlier guitar from New Zealand that has made this guitar now available for sale. You will love it!

Sold to Barry


Software Serial Numbers; Welcome to the Maton Museum. Here you can search the online archives to find about every Maton guitar model ever built. Creating this archive is a big task and it’s an ongoing one. We want to thank all of the people who have helped out in improving the accuracy and completeness of what we call the Maton Museum. There’s no serial number – Alver guitars were made in batches of 30 and identified only by batch numbers (This one is from batch B88). Although only a budget priced plywood guitar, the Alver was a well made and structurally sound instrument, and there are many surviving examples still in good repair. It’s hard to see, but the serial number is still visible, and this is number 104. Going off what I’ve picked up (that Maton Serial numbers start at 100), I believe this makes it the fourth Fyrbyrd ever made. It also has some other tell tale features about it that suggest it was made very early in the production of Fyrbyrds. Dec 20, 2019 Maton Serial Numbers Martin began producing instruments in 1833. Prior to serial numbers, the different instruments were identified by the Martin brand which was stamped into the back of the headstock, the upper portion of the back or on the back binding strut visible through the soundhole (the eased blocking reinforcing the center joint. From research on the net, it appears that the Serial Number , bottom line in the photo (at left), decodes to: Model 25, Year 77, Guitar Number 4186. The story goes that the Aspen range were distributed in the USA out of Fort Worth, Texas and were among the brands that earned the nick-name 'Lawsuit Guitars'.

Before 1900 there were hundreds of companiesin the United States producing bicycles. Between about 1900 and the mid-1920sthe field narrowed considerably as companies like Schwinn and Westfield boughtout other makers but carried their brands forward. While some of the companieslisted here certainly predated balloon tire bicycles the following are the mostprolific builders of balloon tire bicycles.

Maton Serial Numbers

Following the story of eachmanufacturer is a list of some of thebadges known on the bikes. These listings are only examples as some companiesare known to have used hundreds of different badges. Distributors or retailerssuch as tire stores, department stores, hardware stores, or any number ofretail establishments that sold bicycles many times had their own badges made.It is important to understand that the badge was merely a brand and notnecessarily the manufacturer. For example the brand “Elgin” was used onbicycles Sears sold before World War II. Sears never made any of its own bicycles.Neither did Firestone, Goodyear, or B.F. Goodrich. In the case of the Elginbicycles many were made by Westfield but some made by Monark and Murray aswell. Colson, Monark, Cleveland Welding, and Schwinn made the bikes for thetire companies.

Schwinn

Generally accepted as introducing the balloon tire bicycle to America Schwinn is probably the most recognized bicycle manufacturer in the world. The company was formed in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn, a German immigrant, and along with the financial backing of Adolf Arnold formed Arnold, Schwinn & Co. in 1895. At one time Schwinn was also one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the United States having acquired both Excelsior (1912) and Henderson (1917). Schwinn designed and built some of the most iconic balloon tire bikes to include the Aerocycle, Autocycle, and Phantom. Although the Schwinn name survives the bicycles are now made in China.

Badges: Schwinn,The World, LaSalle, Lincoln, American Beauty, Cadillac, Ace, Henderson, Excelsior,Mission, American Flyer, Chicago, Admiral, Liberty, and hundreds of storebadges such as Beards (Evansville, IN), Lawlor’s (Lincoln, NE), and Tiger (G.W.Tiger & Sons–Colorado Springs, CO)

Cleveland Welding Company

The Cleveland Welding Company is generally referred to as “CWC” by collectors started producing bicycles in September of 1935 and are probably best known for their Roadmaster line of bicycles. The “Y” frame Roadmaster Supremes of 1937 (aka Bug Eye) and 1938 (aka Four Gill) are some of the rarest and most sought after balloon tire bikes. The Roadmaster Luxury Liner is probably the most well-known model from this company and the “Shockmaster” is arguably one of the smoothest riding spring forks ever made. CWC was sold to AMF in 1951 but the Roadmaster brand lives on although these bicycles are now made in China.

Badges: Roadmaster, Supreme, Packard, Hiawatha, Ridewell, Ben Hur, All American, Trojan, Pilot, Hawthorne, Trail Blazer, Speed King, Vim, Movie Ace, Fleetwing, Champion

Monark

The Monark Silver King Inc. started as a battery manufacturer and began producing bicycles in 1935. What sets Monark apart from other manufacturers was their use of aluminum in construction of their bicycles as well as using a 24” wheel size on these bikes. It should be noted that aluminum had been used in bicycle construction starting in the 1890s. Monark introduced its steel framed bikes in 1938 which included such models as the “Superframe” Five Bar. It is their aluminum bikes though such as the Flocycle, Wingbar, and 26X that most collectors covet. Postwar Monarks include the popular aluminum “Hextube” and the Super Deluxe models.

Maton serial numbers auto

Badges: MonarksSilver King, Montgomery Ward, Hawthorne, DeVega, Reggie McNamara, Ace,Mahowald, Airman, Firestone

Shelby

The Shelby Cycle Co. of Shelby, OH was formed in 1925 from the remnants of the Shelby Cycle Frame Builders. The Shelby Airflos (Speedlines) are considered some of the most outlandish designs of the late 1930s and are some of the most sought after balloon tire bikes among collectors. In 1949 Shelby built the Donald Duck bike featuring Donald Ducks head whose eyes were the lights. The company was sold briefly to Gambles in 1953 but within months sold to AMF. Badges: Shelby, Flying Cloud, Gambles, Hiawatha, Ideal, Safe-T-Bike, Speedway Special, Supreme, Fox, Western Flyer, Bird, Trojan, Eagle, Pirate

H.P. Snyder

Maton Serial Numbers Free

The relationship between the H.P. Snyder Co. and the D.P.Harris Company is one of the more unusual arrangements in bicycle history. Sometimein the early 1900s a partnership was formed between Snyder and Harris wherebySnyder would build the bicycle and Harris distribute them. Harris was also amanufacturer of bicycle parts and ball bearings and its own product line was calledRollfast. Harris distributed the Snyder bikes under the Rollfast name as wellas many others. Snyder built bikes were also sold through Montgomery Warddepartment stores. While Rollfast bikes were high quality machines their designwas decidedly more conservative than a lot of their contemporaries. Anexception would be the Hopalong Cassidy bikes complete with conchos, fringe,and a simulated horse hair saddle. The Rollfast name would continue until 1975when the Snyder Co. finally closed and the relationship between Snyder andHarris was dissolved.

Badges: Rollfast, Roamer, Black Beauty, Ben Hur, Lexington, Peerless, Cadet, Athlete, Standard, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Savage, Rex, Blue Ribbon, Keystone, Gold Medal, Hawthorne, Montgomery Ward, Overland, Winchester, Hopalong Cassidy

Westfield

The Westfield Manufacturing Co. of Westfield, MA has originsdating back to 1877 with the founding of the Pope Manufacturing Co. Many brandswere manufactured under Westfield but their in-house brand was Columbia. Westfieldbought many bicycle companies such as Miami who made the Flying Merkel, andRacycle among others. Some of the most desirable balloon tire bikes ever madewere produced by Westfield for Sears under the Elgin brand to include theBluebird, Skylark, and Robin. Westfield was also the primary contractor formaking bicycles for Hendee/Indian Motocycle Co. until World War II. The companyenjoyed postwar success but like other American companies succumbed to importsand production cost and ceased operations in 1987.

Badges: Columbia, Westfield, Elgin, Corsair, Seminole,Indian, Viking, Tribune, Derby, Fleetwing, Imperial, Crescent, Flying Merkel,Racycle, Sterling, Stormer, Rambler, Waverly

Iver Johnson

Initially formed as Johnson and Bye & Co. in 1871 in Worchester,MA the company was renamed Iver Johnson’s Arms and Cycles Works when it wasmoved to Fitchburg, MA in 1891. Iver Johnson bicycles were typically high grademachines and manufactured most of the parts for their bicycles rather thanrelying on other manufacturers. The Super Mobike featured stainless fenders, anoctagonal battery tank, a unique crank assembly, and a hornlight. Iver Johnsonceased bicycle production in 1941.

Badge: IverJohnson

Huffman Manufacturing/Huffy

The Huffman Manufacturing Company began producing bicyclesin 1934 in Dayton, OH. While its initial offerings were rather plain by 1936the company introduced some exceedingly stylish bikes such as the SafetyStreamline followed by the Super Streamline bicycles. In 1938 Huffman introducedthe “Twin Flex” which was a full suspension bike (front and rear springs). The1940/1 Champion and Mainliner lines are also very popular with collectors.Huffman was one of two manufacturers to produce bikes for the war effort(Westfield was the other) and these military models are highly sought after.The company changed its name to Huffy in 1977 but the bicycles had been brandedas Huffy since 1953. Although the Huffy brand still exists all production is inChina.

Badges: Huffman, Huffy,Dayton, National, LaFrance, Dixie Flyer, Airflyte, National, Snell, Davisflyer, Chieftan, Indian, Belknap, Firestone, Everbest

Colson Corporation

Maton Serial Numbers Online

The Colson Corporation was located in Elyria, OH andmanufactured bicycles form 1917 to 1953. In 1954 the Evans Products Companybought the bicycle division from Colson and Evans-Colson bicycles were solduntil 1962. Some of the more interesting bicycles produced were the Hi-Lo whichcontained a rudimentary two speed transmission in the crank hanger and wasshifted by a shifter mounted to the frame. Colson produced some of the mostoutrageous paint schemes in the 1930s on its top-of-the-line Commanders andImperials. Colson used a suspension consisting of rubber cushion(s) on some ofits top models. Colson produced models for both Goodyear and Firestoneincluding exclusive designs such as the Double Eagle (aka Clipper) for Goodyearand the Super Cruiser (aka Bull Nose) for Firestone.

Badges: Colson,Scout, Vogue (girls models), Double Eagle and Double Eagle Deluxe (Goodyear),Firestone Cruiser and Super Cruiser, Wings, Rover, Packard, Pilot, Flying Ace,Olympic, Champion, Lincoln

Murray Ohio Co.

The Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company was formed in 1919 inCleveland, OH. Initially the company made automobile parts but by the mid-1930swas producing bicycles, primarily, for Sears. In 1939 Murray introduced thePacemaker at the World’s Fair held in New York. The bicycle was designed byfamed industrial artist and designer Viktor Schreckengost. Murray continued toproduce bicycles after the war for Sears and others with such notable musclebikes as the Eliminator and Wildcat. In the late 1980s Murray was sold to aBritish investment company and by 1999 bicycle production ceased.

Badges: Murray,Mercury, Elgin, Western Flyer, PENCO, J.C. Higgins, Sears

Manton-Smith

Maton Serial Numbers List

Manton and Smith was a Chicago, IL ornamental iron companythat started building bike frames for other companies in the early 20’s. Fromabout 1936 to 1953 the company manufactured its own line of bicycles. Among themore interesting features found on some Manton Smiths is the fork lock brazedto the head tube. Manton Smith also employed a unique spring fork. The prewar “GoldenZephyr” was perhaps their finest model. Like other bikes of the time they were soldthrough distributors and retailers and a variety of head badges can be found onthese bikes although they are fairly obscure.

Maton Serial Numbers Reverse

Badges: Manton-Smith,Gold Eagle Pacer, Gold Eagle Bike-Lok, Gold Eagle Special, Silver Shield(Western Tire and Auto), Seneca, Ranger