I wish I had more photos to share on this guitar but it is so interesting and rare it is worth having at least something to look at!
Serial number 47052 was stamped on May 22, 1931 and cleared final inspection on June 2 that year.
Only two D-1 guitars were ever made. They were clearly made as protoypes for Chicago Musical Instrument Co. as the two were ordered on the same day. However, one had a 19 fret fingerboard while the second had 20 frets.
It will also be seen that this guitar has a single sound hole ring like Ditson Dreadnought guitars.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, this is not the first Dreadnought guitar made by Martin for a customer other than C. H. Ditson & Co., a D-21 was made about a month earlier for CMI.
This guitar has black celluloid binding and black and white line of purfling while the other D-1 guitar had white celluloid binding.
A third D-1 was ordered in September 1931 but the designation was later changed to reflect Martin's regular styles and it was delivered as the first D-18.
The last photo shows a map of the top thickness at various points. It will be seen that the thickness measurements are somewhat higher than Dreadnought guitars. It appears that the starting thickness of the top was 1/7" resawn spruce veneer (roughly 0.140") whereas later Dreadnoughts began with 1/8" (0.125") spruce veneer.
Style 18 features:
Back and sides: Mahogany
Top: Red spruce (Adirondack)
Purfling: Black and white lines
Binding: Black celluloid
Other period features:
Scalloped X-bracing
Ebony fingerboard
Brazilian rosewood belly bridge
Ebony neck reinforcement
1-7/8" neck width at nut
Nickel silver bar frets
Tortoiseshell celluloid pick guard
Graduated dot fingerboard inlay
Style stamp
2 thoughts on “1931 Martin D-1 Guitar, Serial Number 47052”
I have a D-1 Martin acoustic with serial number 664686. Is there anyone who can give me some information on it…history, value, etc.
Thank you, Dennis
Dennis
A D-1 from 1998 is a very different kind of guitar from a 1931 D-1. You might try calling Martin Customer Service to get more information on your guitar.
Greig Hutton