Hi Cy, You might try Paul Monachino. He has maintained possession of the logbooks ever since he salvaged them in a heroic dumpster dive during the plant closing at Rochester. He was unfortunately too late to save the Chickering archives. I recently had along conversation with him about a Model C concert grand of which only 8 to 12 were made (not a CC and not the C baby grand made in the late forties/early fifties). He explained to me that Masons were assigned serial numbers either at the end of the year inventory, when the piano was sold, and/or when the piano left the factory for a promo event, restoration etc. In other words, the serial number references whatever was noted in the logbook rather than the specifics on its manufacture. This is why Masons often have multiple s/n's. It may be quite probable that your piano did indeed go back to the factory for a new action. As for the model, is nothing stamped at the back bass tail of the plate? Hope this helps and good luck. Jude Reveley, RPT Absolute Piano Restoration, LLC www.absolute-piano.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Cy Shuster To: Pianotech Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 12:47 AM Subject: [pianotech] Help with age of Mason & Hamlin 7' I'd like help identifying a 7' Mason and Hamlin. Full perimeter plate, with no numbers or letters of any kind that I could find. Four large holes in the bass side; several large holes in the treble, one with an open crown type of decoration. 8 singles in the bass and 13 bichords. Two numbers stamped on the keyslip: 12330 (larger) and 11380 (smaller). 11380 also stamped into the cheekblocks. 13444 written in pen on the keybed. Action patented 1921, and also shows a stamped 1921 date on end of action rail. Poorly rebuilt at least once (different action?). Is this a BB? 12330 would be 1901, but action is definitely later; all the other numbers appear to be earlier. I forgot to look for the spider; maybe this is an M&H on fallboard only? Thanks for the help... --Cy-- Cy Shuster, RPT Albuquerque, NM www.shusterpiano.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090829/19b3fca1/attachment-0001.htm>
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