Piano Detectives

[DICK BEATON]

Hi Jeannie...
If it is a Chickering it would have brass hammer butt flanges....unless
they were changed.
Regards,

Dick Beaton MT


----------
> From: Jeannie Grassi <jgrassi@silverlink.net>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech-digest@ptg.org>
> Subject: Piano Detectives
> Date: Thursday, October 30, 1997 10:09 AM
> 
> List,
>     I have reason to suspect that a used piano recently purchased by a
> client of mine is not the Chickering that the name on the fallboard
boasts.
> Let me set the scenario for those of you who like puzzles:
>     It recently (can still smell the solvents) was sprayed black over
what
> was an aging mahogany finish   The only place a name appears anywhere on
the
> piano is the brand new Chickering fallboard decal.  Serial #114507.
Wessel ,
> Nickel & Grosse action. Customer was told the piano was built in 1927,
but
> if it is a Chickering the serial says it would be 1909.  It appears to
have
> the original soundboard and strings and action, but from it's relatively
> good condition, and style, I would more likely believe a date closer to
> 1927.
>     I informed the customer of these discrepancies and when she didn't
seem
> too concerned, only mildly curious, I let it rest and began tuning.  That
> was when, staring right at me I saw a few things that I couldn't ignore. 
On
> the capo bar was embossed "Patented July 16, 1912"  which obviously makes
> the piano newer than 1909 and since the patent was no longer pending, I
> would assume it is a bit older than 1912.  ( I realize this patent date
can
> be searched to find the true identity or at least some solid clues, but I
> haven't gone that route yet).
>     To my recollection, all of the Chickerings I have seen have the name
> cast into the plate.  Also, scale numbers are usually on the plate.  This
> piano has a 25 note bass, one continuous pin block with screws through
the
> plate from the top.  None visible from beneath the block.  No soundboard
> decal.  3 nose bolts.
>     So what do you experts think?  Any help is greatly appreciated. 
We're
> dying of curiosity.
> Jeannie
> 
> Jeannie Grassi, RPT
> Bainbridge Island, WA
> jgrassi@silverlink.net
>