CAUT

Hi all.

I had an interesting find this morning.  I'm looking at a 1937 Chickering quarter grand we have in the "green room" here that is rarely used. I'm hoping to recondition it enough to be a floater grand when I pull a piano out of a practice room, classroom, faculty office etc. for major surgery. 
The interesting thing when I took the keys off the frame were what looks like conical felt front rail punchings.  I've seen really old punchings before so I doubt that years of compression formed them this way.

I really like the conicals we can buy now, but does anyone know about the Chickering inventions like this.  Of course, since Chickering was sold to Aeolean in 1932, it's not really a Chickering, but maybe Aeolean inherited lots and lots of parts when they bought them?

Also on key #1 was stamped Jan, 1917.  Wonder if they had tons of key sets sitting around for 20 years too?

I'm ready for some education.
thanks
Paul

-------------------------------------------
Paul T. Williams RPT
Director of Piano Services
School of Music
813 Assembly St
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
pwilliams@mozart.sc.edu
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------------------------------------------- James Kelly Pawleys Island SC 843-325-4357 ------------------------------------------- I doubt it was an invention but most likely a punching put in after the piano left the factory. The piano has been in the field 77 years or so. The date stamp could have been done at the factory which was at 791 Tremont Street Boston before being moved to Rochester New York. On the other hand it could have been stamped by the key makers . Not all parts in their pianos were made in their factory
Original Message: Sent: 10-08-2014 10:13 From: Paul Williams Subject: Conical front rail key punchings Hi all. I had an interesting find this morning. I'm looking at a 1937 Chickering quarter grand we have in the "green room" here that is rarely used. I'm hoping to recondition it enough to be a floater grand when I pull a piano out of a practice room, classroom, faculty office etc. for major surgery. The interesting thing when I took the keys off the frame were what looks like conical felt front rail punchings. I've seen really old punchings before so I doubt that years of compression formed them this way. I really like the conicals we can buy now, but does anyone know about the Chickering inventions like this. Of course, since Chickering was sold to Aeolean in 1932, it's not really a Chickering, but maybe Aeolean inherited lots and lots of parts when they bought them? Also on key #1 was stamped Jan, 1917. Wonder if they had tons of key sets sitting around for 20 years too? I'm ready for some education. thanks Paul ------------------------------------------- Paul T. Williams RPT Director of Piano Services School of Music 813 Assembly St University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208 pwilliams@mozart.sc.edu -------------------------------------------

By the condition of these punchings (very very old hard and crusty) if they were replaced, it would have been 75+ years ago.  

Does anyone know when conical front rail punchings were introduced?  I would post a pic, but they've been disposed of and nice new ones installed :>)

Paul


-------------------------------------------
Paul T. Williams RPT
Director of Piano Services
School of Music
813 Assembly St
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
pwilliams@mozart.sc.edu
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2014 08:02
From: James Kelly
Subject: Conical front rail key punchings



-------------------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
-------------------------------------------
I doubt it was an invention but most likely a punching put in after the piano left the factory. The piano has been in the field 77 years or so. The date stamp could have been done at the factory which was at 791 Tremont Street Boston before being moved to Rochester New York. On the other hand it could have been stamped by the key makers . Not all parts in their pianos were made in their factory

It WAS an invention - the front rail 'conical' punching - and is still available made of Wurzen Felt. I have put a set on my S&S. They are reputed to give the pianist more 'feel' in the 'touch'.  Michael (UK)

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Michael Gamble
semi retired
Brighton
01273813612
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2014 08:02
From: James Kelly
Subject: Conical front rail key punchings



-------------------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
-------------------------------------------
I doubt it was an invention but most likely a punching put in after the piano left the factory. The piano has been in the field 77 years or so. The date stamp could have been done at the factory which was at 791 Tremont Street Boston before being moved to Rochester New York. On the other hand it could have been stamped by the key makers . Not all parts in their pianos were made in their factory