I'm pretty sure that the Alphabet part of the case number simply cycles around A-Z (duh) but the numerical part gets started all over again each year.
At any rate, the serial numbers are recorded numerically, but the case numbers are not. Therefore looking up by SN is quite simple, but looking up by case number requires that you know the year of production, and then thumb through the records one by one till arriving at the case number (this is where the plate info can sometimes help). Then, voila! The SN becomes evident.
In my case, Mike Mohr looked for quite some time (he said much more time than usual) and ended up finding the pianos on either side of the one in question, but could never find the target piano. C'est la vie!
So it all depends on the circumstances surrounding the "disappearance" of the SN.
Pwg
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 07-08-2018 07:01
From: Mark Dierauf
Subject: Steinway Manufacture Dating
They started with the letter "A" code in 1910, and I think I remember reading that they only skipped one letter (i or o?). Contact David Kirkland at the factory and he can probably set you straight.
Mark
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Original Message------
I looked at A S&S M yesterday and there was no serial number in any of the usual places. The rear of the plate had 7/7 Y cast into the plate.
When did S&S switch to letters and did they omit any in the sequence?
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Regards,
Jon Page
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