SML Instrument Models
| Model | Start # | End # | ||
| Stencils | unknown | unknown | ||
| Rev. A | 1 | 4,500 | ||
| Coleman Hawkins Series | 2,515 | 6,700 | ||
| Rev. B | 4,500 | 6,700 | ||
| Super Series | 4,500 | 7,300 | ||
| Rev C. | 7,300 | 8,300 | ||
| Rev. D | 8,300 | 15,000 | ||
| Gold Medal | 15,000 | 26,500 | ||
| Standard Models | 20,200 | 27,000 | ||
| King Marigaux Stencil | 20,200 | 2,700 | ||
SML History
Strasser Marigaux & Lemaire was founded in 1934 by three partners: Charles Strasser, a businessman who was born in Switzerland; Marigaux, an instrument maker who trained at Buffet-Crampon, where his father was "premier ouvrier," and Lemaire.
After the death of Lemaire many years ago, Strasser and Marigaux bought their partner's shares and the company became known as "Strasser-Marigaux." Marigaux died in the early 1970s, leaving Strasser the sole owner of the company. Strasser then sold SML (it continues to use these initials) to a holding company -- Strasser-Marigaux S.A..1
SML began making saxophones when the company was founded -- two years before Selmer introduced its revolutionary Balanced Action saxophone. SML ceased production of saxes in 1982; at the time, the company was making 400 saxes a year. It was also selling saxes to King Musical Instruments, which marketed them under the name,"King Marigaux." A company spokesperson said SML stopped making saxophones because "we just couldn't compete with Selmer anymore."1