This guide documents the production history of Regent and Roth instruments from 1936 through 1960, including the transition to Roth-Reynolds branding. The serial number system reflects distinct periods of production and brand evolution.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1936 | Production begins with Regent/Roth brand |
| 1938 | First major production milestone (10000) |
| 1946 | Post-war restart |
| 1952 | Introduction of "Roth-Reynolds" name |
| 1959 | Peak production period |
| 1960 | Final production phase |
| Period | Years | Characteristics | Average Annual | Serial Range | Notable Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Period | 1936-1941 | Initial Regent/Roth production | ~5,000 instruments | 00001-24999 | Short-cornet (Shepherd's Crook) design |
| War Era | 1942-1945 | Wartime production | ~5,000 instruments | 30000-49999 | Limited civilian production |
| Post-War | 1946-1951 | Transition period | ~2,000 instruments | 50000-59999 | Last "Regent" horns produced |
| Roth-Reynolds Era | 1952-1960 | Final production phase | ~3,500 instruments | 60000-98999 | Roth-Reynolds branded instruments |
| Brand Era | Period | Final Serial | Notable Features | Key Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent Era | 1936-1952 | 52811 | Original Regent branding | Shepherd's Crook cornets |
| Roth Era | 1936-1952 | 55696 | Ohio Band Instrument Co. production | Standard Roth models |
| Roth-Reynolds Era | 1952-1960 | 98xxx | Combined branding period | Late production models |
| Era | Period | Total Production | Average Rate | Notable Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Growth | 1936-1938 | ~10,000 instruments | 5,000 per year | Company establishment |
| Pre-War Peak | 1939-1941 | ~15,000 instruments | 5,000 per year | Maximum pre-war production |
| Wartime | 1942-1945 | ~20,000 instruments | 5,000 per year | Sustained wartime output |
| Transition | 1946-1960 | ~45,000 instruments | 3,000 per year | Brand transition and final era |
| Year | Serial Number | Production Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | 1 | Initial production begins |
| 1938 | 7500 | First production milestone |
| 1940 | 15000 | Pre-war production peak |
| 1942 | 22500 | Wartime production begins |
| 1944 | 30000 | Mid-war production |
| 1946 | 37500 | Post-war production resumes |
| 1948 | 45000 | Post-war production resumes |
| 1950 | 52500 | Last "Regent" branded instrument-54155 |
| 1952 | 60000 | Introduction of "Roth-Reynolds" brand |
| 1955 | 70000 | Late production period |
| 1959 | 80000 | Documented with October warranty card-89695 |
| 1960 | 90000 | Last known "Roth" brand instruments |
If you have additional information or notice any discrepancies, please contact us.