Introduction
(Updated 1 Feb 2019: With the addition of new information the serial number dating for Weymann instruments has now been revised. See the new dating table below:
(Update 10 May 2019: I came across this photo of a mandolin that was on a website by Tommy’s Guitars in Chicago:
I contacted Tommy’s Guitars and they tried to find the original photo but the sale was some time ago and they could not find a better quality photo. But they do know that the documentation was dated 1899.
If I could find the now owner of this mandolin it could answer some questions about when H.A. Weymann and Son started serializing instruments, which at present those early years are a bit of a mystery. So if you bought this mandolin from Tommy’s Guitars, or now own this mandolin, or know who does, please contact me charles@koolaru.com . Many thanks, Charles.) end of update.
While there is evidence that H.A. Weymann & Son, Philadelphia, were making stringed instruments from 1894 or earlier for their retail outlet, it looks likely that they did not increase production for wholesale purposes until the late 1890’s. The catalyst for this was possibly the buying of production equipment and spare parts from the discontinued S.S. Stewart enterprise in 1898, also of Philadelphia.
Their very early banjos and guitars carried a gold decal, but no serial or style (model) number. Still later they carried a serial number but no style number. I believe around 1900 they finally added a style number as well.