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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi David.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In my opinion, and following the =
Bechstein archive
departement, all Bechstein pianos after 1880 or so have the serial =
number
stenciled on the cast iron frame. This number happen often to be =
covered
or erased by time injury. So as far as my (small) experience can =
tell me,
the number you find on the soundboard (excepted older models, from =
before 1880),
that is the same than the number you find on the wooden frame or on any =
case
part such as key lid or lyre, is the case number, not the serial =
number.
>From my experience, you can multiply the case number by two, add a =
few
thousands, and find approximately a number close to the serial
number.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>In my experience, the rocker-type =
Schwander action
has been replaced by the pilot type action at about the turn of the
century. You will find rocker type action some with the V-shaped =
(steinway
like) repetition spring, some with the screw tightened Schwander patent =
type
repetition spring. But with the pilot type action, I think there =
is always
a screw tightened type repetition spring, which both lead to suppose the =
piano
is from after 1900.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Anyway, a fishtail case leads to a =
piano
from before 1900, and a continuous one, after.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I think (but am not sure), that between =
1880 and
1890 or so, Bechstein used the Isermann action, which is very similar to =
the
Steinway action, but the rockers instead of the pilots.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then the Schwander action, first with =
rockers, then
whith pilots.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then, from about 1925 or so, the Langer =
action, in
all points similar to the Schwander action.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Then, from 1940 or so, the Renner
action.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This from my own experience. =
Please, if
someone knows something else, correct me. Bechstein factory is =
scarce
about those informations.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello to all.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Stéphane Collin.</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=davidlovepianos@earthlink.net
href="mailto:davidlovepianos@earthlink.net">David Love</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 28, =
2002 2:03
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Bechstein Date</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>I'm trying to identify the date of a Bechstein IV
(7'4"). It appears that the serial number has been removed from =
the
plate by overly vigorous cleaning. I can find no other number =
except an
embossed number on one of the cross braces under the piano. This =
number
reads 16226. I don't believe this is the serial number as that =
would put
the piano back to 1885. The owner seems to think it is c
1910-1915. Anybody know what that number refers to and can I =
trace the
date through it?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>