While the aluminum angle piece does suggest it was refurbished comparatively recently, I suspect that the piano was originally fitted with a player or reproducer system (which would be apparent if you carefully inspected the instrument for clues). Are the keys extra long? I have encountered this hammer rail raising "soft pedal" device in other grands, especially those which had been originally outfitted with player/reproducer mechanisms.
<div>Patrick Draine<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 10/28/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">William R. Monroe</b> <<a href="mailto:pianotech@a440piano.net">pianotech@a440piano.net</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0;margin-left:0.8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div style="word-wrap:break-word" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<div><font face="Bookman Old Style" size="2">As an addendum, of course I will try
fitting standard wippens from my parts kits and see what happens - no doubt
the best way to know for sure. Just was curious if anyone had seen this
before in a S&S. As I look at it more, it looks like it's
probably a retrofit by some creative tech to create a soft pedal. It looks
like aluminum angle with wood rail and various felts. I
don't have the instrument to look at the trapwork, just the action.</font></div><span class="sg">
<div><font face="Bookman Old Style" size="2"></font> </div>
<div><font face="Bookman Old Style" size="2">William R. Monroe</font></div></span><div><span class="e" id="q_115e7034ba90f5e8_2">
<div> </div>
<blockquote dir="ltr" style="padding-right:0px;padding-left:5px;margin-left:5px;border-left:#000000 2px solid;margin-right:0px">
<div style="margin:0px">Hey List,</div>
<div style="min-height:14px;margin:0px"><br> </div>
<div style="margin:0px">New one on me.<span> </span>I've just taken in an action for
rebuild from a S&S M, ca.</div>
<div style="margin:0px">1930.<span>
</span>The hammer rest rail is solid - and pivots (see photos).<span> </span>What's the</div>
<div style="margin:0px">scoop?<span>
</span>Is this original, or an alteration.<span> </span>It would seem like a</div>
<div style="margin:0px">"soft-pedal" type of mechanism.<span> </span>Anyone know if there is a
problem</div>
<div style="margin:0px">converting to standard wippens?</div>
<div style="min-height:14px;margin:0px"><br> </div>
<div style="margin:0px">Thanks for your collective wisdom,</div>
<div style="margin:0px">William R. Monroe<br> </div>
<div style="margin:0px"><br> </div>
<div style="margin:0px">Photos at:</div>
<div style="margin:0px"><br> </div>
<div style="margin:0px">
<div style="margin:0px"><font style="font:13px Verdana" face="Verdana" size="4"><b><a href="http://tinyurl.com/2qpwz2" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">http://tinyurl.com/2qpwz2</a>
</b></font></div></div>
<div style="margin:0px"><br> </div>
<div style="margin:0px"><a href="https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/2007-October/000297.html" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/files/2007-October/000297.html
</a></div></blockquote></span></div></div>
</blockquote></div><br> </div>