<html> <body> Kent, I rebuilt one of those in the 80s.  It is from the 1860s, and the action in the one I worked on had been converted to a tubular metallic frame in the 1870s. The pinblock on the one I did was exactly as your picture shows, so I do not agree that the pinblock has moved.  The pinblock on this model is morticed into the case sides, with the case structure built up over top of the pinblock - which has hidden bolts down into the rim.  Very difficult pinblock to replace, and pretty well impossible for it to move. The plate struts do look repaired, and that is the correct direction for them to crack, too - on top.  The pinblock may be high up in relation to the struts, but the string plane is still below them.  As long as they are not re-cracking, those should be a problem. To remove the action, use a hacksaw blade.  Wrap one end with tape or something, and trim the tight drop screws down for clearance.  If they are not totally destroyed afterwards, you might be able to use a dremel to cut the screwdriver slots deep again (if they are of the slotted type).  Getting the action out should take less than an hour, and will scratch the pinblock, but not seriously. These are kind of nice pianos, but the action ratios are likely totally messed up by the capstans.  It's a shame people put capstans in these actions, because the rocker actions really perform quite well (once you get them regulated!). Don Mannino </body> </html>