Nikon mount rangefinder lenses - serial number ranges
compiled by Chris Sap, based on the book, Nikon Rangefinder, by Robert Rotoloni

Webmaster note: This list is not meant to be an absolute, the problem with lists is that new numbers keep being found. However it gives collectors a good idea of serial number ranges, and is useful in indentifying lenses when sellers supply you only with the serial number.

Some interesting examples and notes, based on NHS forum posts, have been added.
Lens Notes Date Serials   B or C (Black or Chrome)
b or c (black/chrome exists also)		 additional numbers reported
21/4   Jun-59 621000 621330 B  
             
25/4   Nov-53 402500 403500 C  
      403500 405000 B  
             
28/3.5   Sep-52 346000 349000 C  
      712000 714000 C b  
      714000   B c  
             
35/1.8   Sep-56 351800 355880 B (with black f-stop ring)  
      351880 359952 B (with chrome f-stop ring)  
             
35/2.5   Sep-52 243000 259000 C  
      259000 268000 B  
      270000 271208 B  
             
35/3.5   Mar-48 612 61245 C reverse f-stops, prototype  
      9101 9101700 C MIOJ (91037-9101640 Rotoloni)
      425000 426000 C MIOJ  
    1952 426000 434000 C no longer MIOJ  
    1954 434000 439000 C  
      439000 443000 B  
             
35/3.5 stereo Dec-56 241800 242100 C (only 142 sold)  
             
50/1.1 internal Feb-56 119600 121084 B  
             
  external Jun-59 140700 142484 B  
             
50/1.4 MIOJ Dec-50 50050001 50051987 C 50052045
      316000 321999 C  
             
50/1.4   1953 322000 * 374000 C  
      374000 396000 B  
  but no more red C (coated)   396000 417862 B  
      *331000 *331200 B instead of C  
      *358000 *358100 B instead of C  
      *365000 *365300 B instead of C  
      *369400 *369500 B instead of C  
  aluminium   *358100 *358400 B instead of C  
  olympic 1962 140000 141541 B  
             
50/1.5   1950 9051 90538 C  
      9071 907734 C  
             
50/2 MIOJ Sep-46 609.. 609... C  
  collapsible   7084 708691 C  
      80625 806511 C  
      81116 8111700 C  
             
  MIOJ/hybrid Oct/49 8111780 8112903 C  
             
  MIOJ/rigid 1950 50080000 50080781 C  
      617000 622000 C  
             
50/2 (chr filter ring. some black) 1953 622000 662000 C b  
      714000 768206 B c  
             
50/3.5 micro Oct/56 523000 524413 C  
             
50/3.5   Dec-45 705....   C  
             
85/1.5   Jan-51 264345 266046 B  
             
85/2 MIOJ Mar-48 801 801168 C 801295
      9031 904089 C  
      286500 287300 C  
  MIOJ 1951 287300 288941 C  
             
85/2   1953 289000 296664 C  
      396700 404386 C (some black from 398800)  
      496000 497663 B  
             
105/2.5   Dec-53 812000 821000 B  
      912000 924900 B  
             
105/4   Jun-59 408500 410500 B  
             
135/3.5 MIOJ (f:16) Mar-50 500601 50060427 C 50060434
      253000 256000 C  
  (f:32) 1953 256000 264582 C b  
      264583 268214 B c  
  with red C (coated) 1956 268000 273000 B  
  without red C (coated)   273000 282507 B  
             
135/4 MIOJ 1947 611. 611185 C  
      9041. 904701 C  
             
  bellows May-58 578000 579461 B  
             
180/2.5

exists in ft or meters,
or both

 Nov-53 373500 373877 B  
      473500 474176 B 473915(ft)
             
250/4 manual Jan-51 271800 272400 B  
  preset 1956 272400 273769 B  
      277400 277648 B  
             
350/4.5   Jun-59 354500 355116 B  
             
500/5   Sep-52 647000 647248 B  
             
1000/6.3   Jun-59 100600 100648 B or GREY  
             
Annotations:

Wes Loder (April 20, 2007)
I have found no 180mm lens number lower than 373602 and it is an obvious prototype. I believe that the "373500" number is in error. There appears to be a sizable gap between 470046 and 473629. Anyone have a number lower than 373602?

The 250mm were made in four batches. The first 200 were made between 1954 and 1956 and number 200 (271801-272000).These have manual diaphragms. The second batch (272001-272400) were manufactured between 1956 and 1959. These are also equipped with manual diaphragms. The third series have the preset diaphragm and number about 1600 (272401-27400). Most of these would have been built between late 1959 and 1961 or 1962. The final batch (277001-277646) number about 650 and came out in 1962. Total number of 250s: probably 2850. The preset 250 did not exist before 1959!

The highest number I have for a 500mm is 647272. My numbers are fairly complete between 647001 and 647123, after that I see a lot of gaps, so all numbers may not have been used.

In regard to dating lenses, serial numbers are helpful, but you can use other features as well, including the metal used, the finish (black or chrome), the presence or lack of the red C, the presence of the MIOJ mark and whether a lens has the infinity mark or "INF." NK changed to the infinity mark in late summer 1956.

Webmaster (April 22, 2007)
I will update the current list casually, especially if numbers are quite different. What is amazing is that a list based on Bob's 1980s book, before the internet, is so accurate! When Bob Rotoloni's new book comes out, hopefully soon, Chris Sap and I will update the list, to reflect the new numbers.