Serial number 63858 is a rarely seen dark top D-28. It was stamped on July 15, 1936 and cleared final inspection on November 20 that year.
A total of 60 D-28 guitars were made in 1936, in five batches of twelve instruments each. This is the 39th D-28 made that year.
Only two D-28 guitars from 1936 have been reported as having dark top finishes. The bookings ledger and production records for 1936 do not mention any dark top D-28 guitars being made but that is not unusual for the period. Martin did not charge extra for a dark finish and did not always record this feature. At any point, a dealer could have phoned or telegraphed a change in the order to include a dark top guitar. Martin, as still happens today, would have simply selected a guitar off a rack in the finish shop and added a shaded finish to meet the change in the order.
In Table 93 on page 273 of “Hutton’s Guide to Martin Guitars 1833-1969” only one D-28 from 1936 is listed as having a dark top finish. This guitar is the second example to be reported.
As a D-28 from 1936 this guitar has advanced-X bracing and a wide (1-3/4″) neck.
The tuners are period-correct Grover G-98 pointed-plate machines with un-seamed metal butterbean buttons.
At the time of writing (October 30, 2025) this guitar is available for sale at TR Crandall Guitars (https://trcrandall.com/collections/for-sale/products/1936-martin-d-28-shadetop). All photos are courtesy of TR Randall Guitars.
