Removing Bridges

[Terry Beckingham]

Dear list,

I have come into possession of a 1920 Willis upright piano. It is in
deplorable shape, but I would like to put it back into decent condition just
for the experience of doing so.

The treble bridge has rotated at the bottom end for a distance of about a
foot. That is, it has come unglued on the non speaking edge at the low end
of the tenor. It has taken the soundboard with it. 

I would like to try removing the bridge to repair the soundboard, and then
re-install it. The bridge has virtually no cracks anywhere in its entire length.

The bridge is attached at the extremities with one screw and soundboard
button. The remainder seems to be attached with dowels through the ribs and
board into the bottom of the bridge. 

Can anyone give me suggestions as to how I should go about removing the
bridge, preferably intact. As I said, I would like to try this just for the
experience.
If I screw it up, there is no big loss.

Thanks in advance

Terry