One of the most common questions people ask is how to determine the age of their Elgin outboard. To do this the model number is required. Once the model number is known it is simple to look up the number using the serial number charts provided in each section of the Elginoutboards.org website.

Over the years there were several places Sears suppliers West Bend (1946-1959+) and Scott McCulloch (1959-1963+) located this information. To follow is text and photos that indicate where to look to find it.

Early “Apple Green” Models
Most of the early Elgins had the model numbers on the “Starting & Oiling” instructions decal. Today, these decals have become unreadable due to damage, fading, wear or being painted over. The good news is that a second number was stamped into the crankcase using only the last digits of the model code followed by the serial number. Two examples are as follow:

Photo ID-1	Photo ID-2

Photo #ID-1 shows stamped into the front of the crankcase number 501.5186 - this would be a model 571.58501 and serial number 5186. The number 501 is the key and based on the ID chart for 1946-1954 it would be a 3.5hp from 1947.

Photo #ID-2 shows stamped on the side/bottom of the crankcase is number 401-27174 – this would be a model 571.58401 and serial number 27174. Again the first three digits 401are the key and based on the ID chart for 1946-1954 it would be a 2.5hp from 1947-51.

Under the Tank
A few of the small air-cooled Elgins have a small tag affixed up under the tank ring. (See photo ID-3) Note that the last 3 digits of the model number 301 are provided as a prefix on the space designated for stamping the serial number. The full model number appears below as a tiny 571.58301. These ID tags have not held up well over the years and often the model number can be hard, if not impossible, to read.

Photo ID-3

Tiller Handle
Starting in the early 1950’s Sears and West Bend started placing the ID tag on the inside of the steering (tiller) handle. (See photosID-4 and ID-5)

Photo ID-4	Photo ID-5

As with the Under The Tank ID tag, some of the older models may only have the model prefix on the space designated for stamping the serial number. The full model number would appear below in tiny numbers. (See photo ID-6) Later models have the full model number (571.59441 in Photo ID-7) stamped into an unpainted rectangular area on the tag below the serial number.

Photo ID-6	Photo ID-7

Transom Clamp
When Sears shifted outboard suppliers to Scott McCulloch in 1959/60, the location of the Model ID plate shifted to the transom bracket. (See photo ID-8) On most of the motors it was typically located on the “saddle” between the two clamps. The low-profile motors had the plate on the lower cowl next to the transom bracket assembly. (See ID-9)

Photo ID-8 (1960 12hp shown)	Photo ID-9 (1965 7.5hp shown)

Back to the model listings: 1946 to 1954 or 1955 to 1959 or 1959 to 1963

If All Else Fails
If the model/serial # tag has fallen off or been removed your only option may be to try and deduce your model from the photos on this website. You are also welcome to email us a photograph of the motor in question and we will try to help you with an approximate year of manufacture – see the Contact Us link for the email address.

And if you have an ID tag that is positioned differently that what is shown, please send us a clear photo and we will include it here!