I have this harmonica given to me by my grandfather of which origins I know nothing about, if you could help me I would have much gratitude!
This is a Hohner Marine band, the original blues harmonica and the benchmark for all 10 hole diatonic models, still available and popular today. It has a six pointed star in the middle of the bottom cover, so it’s pretty old, dating from the 1950s at the latest but possible older. It doesn’t have any great monetary value unless you find a collector or person who’s into refurbishing vintage harmonicas. Did your grandfather play?
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Hi Steve,
Let me say first thank you for replying, but no my grandfather didn’t play this harmonica because it has been passed down from his grandfather. I was just curious about the time it would have been purchased. I am hoping to keep the tradition alive.
Thanks T
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Interesting. Then it could well be a pre-WW2 instrument. It’s difficult to date this type of harmonica accurately because they don’t have individual serial numbers, so it’s a question of deducing the age from other factors like cover stamps or packaging. Do you have the box it came in?
Steve
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Bonjour,
Vous trouverez peut-être la réponse ici: How has the Hohner Marine Band changed over the years?
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So presumably the original box wore out and the owner stored it in this one. You may want to check out Denis’ recommendation above, that’s a link to Pat Missin’s highly informative website.
Steve