kOREAN Fender/Squier instruments sERIAL nUMBERS

The first Korean Stratocasters were built in the Young Chang factory and were recognizable by a very light silver serial number, which started with E1 (plus a 5- or 6-digit number) in 1987, E7 (plus a 6-digit number) in 1987 and 1988, E2 and E8 in 1988, and E9 in 1989 - although E2, E8 and E9 are pretty rare.
Young Chang stopped manufacturing Squier guitars around late 1988/early 1989 when production was moved to Sung Eum and Samick factories. 

An E prefix followeb by 5-digit number

The serial number that started with E1 followed by a 6-digit number was usually called E10 because of the extra digit

The E7 prefix followeb by a 5-digit number

An E9 serial number

Sung Eum factory used black serial numbers that started with E9, but they can be distinguished them from those used on guitars manufactured in the Young Chang factory by their color.
The serial number of the guitars manufactured in the Samick factory had the S9 prefix followed by a 5-digit number in 1989, 1990 and 1991, or a S1 prefix followed by a 6-digit number in 1991 and 1992, and was also printed in black ink. 

The black E9 prefix followed by a 5-digit number

The black S9 prefix followed by a 5-digit number

The black S1 prefix followed by a 6-digit number, sometimes called S10 because of the extra digit

In 1992 Fender started to manufacture Squier guitars in Cor-Tek (Cort) and Saehan (Sunghan) factories and the prefix of the serial numbers were changed respectively in CN and VN, in which N means ‘90s.  The first figure of a following 6-digit number provided the year(s) of the issue.  For example: NK4xxxxx = 1994-1995.
In 1997 a serial number composed by KC or KV prefix plus 8-digit number was used.  The first two figures provided the year(s) of production.   For example: KV97xxxxxx = 1997-1998.

"VN2" Squier Strat headstock

"CN4" Squier Strat headstock

In 1995 the serial number of the "standard" Squier Stratocasters moved to the neck plate

"M" AND "J" SERIES

In 1991 and 1992, few Korean Squier Stratocasters featured a black serial number composed respectively by a M1 (or J1) and M2 prefixes followed by a 6-digit number.

1991 "M1" Series Squier II heastock

1992 "M2" Series Squier II heastock

Pro Tone Serial Numbers

The serial number of the Pro Tone Stratocaster was either composed of a KC prefix followed by an 8-digit number or an all-numerals 7-digit serial number.  The first two figures provide year of production.
​​

SQUIER II sERIAL nUMBERS

The serial number of the Korean Squier II guitars was placed on the headstock and started with an E9, S9, S1, J1, or M1 prefix, depending on the production plant.
The Indian Squier II guitars followed an American-like serialization scheme (E for '80s and N for '90s).  The serial number was on a sticker on the back of the neck, just above the neck plate.  Today many Squier II Stratocasters made in India lacked this sticker because it easily came off.

J1 Korean Squier II Stratocaster

S10 Korean Squier II Stratocaster

2000s KOREAN SPECIAL EDITONS

A few Special Edition Fender guitars, like the Lite Ash Stratocaster or the Koa Stratocaster, were manufactured in Korea by Cort.  An all numerals 8-digit serial number based on the year/month/production run number of the guitar (YYMMXXXX) was used.
For example, serial number 04032203 would have been made in March 2004 with the production number 2203.

iNDIAN VINTAGE MODIFIED SERIES

In 2007 some Squiers were again manufactured in India, including those of the Vintage Modified Series (whose serial began with SH).

oTHER iNDIAN sERIAL nUMBERS

Other Indian serial numbers:
2007-08   CS07, SH07, ZSSH07 + 6 digits
2008-09   SH08, NSHJ08, ZSSH08 + 6 digits
2009-10  NSHI09, NSHJ09, NSHA09, NSHK09, NSHD09, NSHE09, NSHF09, NHSG09, NSHH09 + 6 digits
2010-11   NHS10 + 6 digits
2011-12   NHS11 + 5 digits