Shires Serial List?

[pbone3b]

Does anyone know of an online Shires Serial Number List? I'd like to get a manufacturing date on a horn. I wrote Shires through the Contact Us form on the site, but I thought I'd ask the experts here too. Thanks!

[Blabberbucket]

I don't believe they have a published serial number list. If you share the first few digits (ie 118XX or 75XX) that might be helpful.

[pbone3b]

I don't believe they have a published serial number list. If you share the first few digits (ie 118XX or 75XX) that might be helpful.

It’s a 4 digit number, 11XX

[GabrielRice]

It doesn't exist, either online or at the factory. And even if it did, with a modular instrument, the serial number only tells you something about the part it's on - in this case the valve section. Anything else could have been manufactured years later. Or earlier.

That would be very early though. I think the first serial number was 1000 or 1001.

[pbone3b]

It's a small-bore 8" bell section, so all one piece. That means the bell section was made in the 90s?

[GabrielRice]

Probably yes. I don't remember small bores happening that early, but my memory may not be accurate.

[Blabberbucket]

1100 is very early. When I was building there around Covid-times, we were in 11000 and 12000. I don't think they'll have record.from that time, but it's possible.

[WilliamLang]

My original Shires was numbered 00454 - always curious about that. Got it from Aaron Moats on the old trombone forum in 2002.

[Gfunk]

A few years ago when I had an older shires. I was curious when it was from and reached out to Alexis. I had to follow up, but she got back to me with a year (2007). You may have luck doing that. At least they’ll tell you if they don’t have a record of serial numbers from the time.

[pbone3b]

OK, upon closer examination with magnification and good light, serial is 41XX.

Does that make more sense?

[Grahambone]

Yes, that makes more sense. Small bores weren't offered until around 2000.

[pbone3b]

Heard back from Shires, 2015!
Thanks, Everybody!