<HTML> <TT>Hello,</TT><TT></TT> <TT>I am researching the Brown action as featured in Chickering grands and Cocked Hat  pianos between the 1850s(?) and 1870s(?). Our shop has rebuilt two 1870's grands with this action; a colleague services an 1860s Chickering with it, but I have yet to accompany him. Additionally, the Boston MFA keyboard collection includes a late 1850's cocked hat piano which I might request to inspect.</TT><TT></TT> <TT>This action interests me because it seems much less prone to wear and damage than the current model - its drawbacks being a limit on hammer weight made by the spring between the underlever and the jack, and the screw _knuckle_ on the hammer shank, later starring as the drop screw in the "backwards" Chickering shank/flange assembly. The jack, however - like ...Brambach and WurliTzer grands... (and uprights), is full-width and has no front stop against which to jam (and break ;-]).</TT><TT></TT> <TT>The two Chickerings we rebuilt worked exquisitely within normal parameters of dip and let-off with light hammers. Apparently, the earlier action has skinnier parts though it might have shallower dip as well.</TT><TT></TT> <TT>Does anyone know the history of this action, in general and specifically to Chickering? I'd like to know if there is a graduation in dip between the early and late actions, and if there is any normal damage apart from environment, misregulation and inappropriate parts.</TT><TT></TT> <TT>Thanks,</TT><TT></TT> <TT>Clark Panaccione</TT> <TT></TT>  <TT></TT>  <TT></TT>  <TT></TT> </HTML>