Bechstein Date

[Stéphane Collin]

Hi Terry.

Just one more idea for dating.
If you are lucky, take out the action, take off the upper part (hammers and
whippens), and lift the left most key (A0).  On the inner right side of it,
you might find a name and a date.  These are from the finishing technician
at the factory.  Sometimes, you find many of them at the same place, leading
to the consecutive major restoration jobs.
Might work, or not.

You could also try to have a look at the rear side of the bass bridge.

Stéphane.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, March 01, 2002 1:50 PM
Subject: Re: Bechstein Date


> Thanks for the info Stéphane. Your model A that you have currently,
#93849, exactly where is the serial number stamped on the plate, and does it
have the two hard chines like mine? Thanks. I'll look to find my case
number.
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Stéphane Collin" <collin.s@skynet.be>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 01, 2002 4:07 AM
> Subject: Re: Bechstein Date
>
>
> Hello Terry,
>
> I once had a Bechstein model A1.  It's case number was 53.822 and had a
> Langer action.  I believe it was from 1921 or so.
> I had many other model A pianos, with case numbers above the 30.000 (never
> less; also I have never seen a model A with the fishtail (case with three
> chines)), all with Schwander pilot action (never seen a model A with
rocker
> action).
> I now have one with the case number #36.063 and the serial number still
> readable #93.849, which leads to the year 1910, with Schwander pilot
> action).
> You could compare with your case number.  I noticed, when possible, that
the
> serial number is always a bit more than the case number.
>
> Anyway, I plan to dig the dendrochronological way of dating pianos having
> lost their serial number (as carbon14 is a little expensive).
>
> Best regards,
>
> Stéphane Collin.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 01, 2002 3:02 AM
> Subject: Re: Bechstein Date
>
>
> > Do you have any good guesses at the age of my Bechstein? Langer action.
> About 180 cm. Model A1. Half the tail is rounded, but has a chine at the
> back end of the straight side, and another chine at the end of the high
> treble bridge. Modern capstans. Thanks for any thoughts.
> >
> > Terry Farrell
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Stéphane Collin" <collin.s@skynet.be>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 10:20 AM
> > Subject: Re: Bechstein Date
> >
> >
> > Hi again David.
> >
> > I currently have a Bechstein in shop whose case number is 13.355 and
whose
> serial number is 43.957.  So I am quite sure it is from 1898, and that
yours
> is from about 1900 or so.  Does it have a fishtail ?  Else it would be a
> model C isntead (220 cm long).
> >
> > Best regards,
> >
> > Stéphane Collin.
> >
> >   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: David Love
> >   To: Pianotech
> >   Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 2:03 AM
> >   Subject: Bechstein Date
> >
> >
> >   I'm trying to identify the date of a Bechstein IV (7'4").  It appears
> that the serial number has been removed from the plate by overly vigorous
> cleaning.  I can find no other number except an embossed number on one of
> the cross braces under the piano.  This number reads 16226.  I don't
believe
> this is the serial number as that would put the piano back to 1885.  The
> owner seems to think it is c 1910-1915.  Anybody know what that number
> refers to and can I trace the date through it?
> >
> >   Thanks
> >
> >   David Love
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>