Pianotech

  • 1.  Hornung & Moller

    Member
    Posted 08-19-2022 19:35
    I received a call today to tune a 1901 Hornung & Moller . I can not find much about the brand except that is was made in Denmark. I am wondering if there is anything unusual about this brand and how common it may be in the US. I am hoping that the tuning pins are at least 2.0 and that there is nothing strange with the stringing , pedals etc.

    The owner tells me it has quite a history which he appears anxious to tell. Maybe it will be worthy of a journal article. According to wikki the company adopted the cast iron plate around the same time as Chickering. That alone may be a good story. 

    So if anyone has seen this brand please let me know what surprises I may be in store for.....

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 2.  RE: Hornung & Moller

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-20-2022 20:05
    About ten years ago I visited my friends near Copenhagen I didn't know they had a piano. Using rubber bands and some good Danish glue they had. We reglued most of the (not original) plastic keytops and I did some parts alignment etc using a screwdriver and a pliers. Five years ago when Visiting again, I brought an extra basic tuning hammer. When I put it on the pins I couldn't turn any because the pins were too small , possibly #1 .
    We traveled to Croatia and then to London. Upon leaving London the tuning hammer was mistakenly in my carry on and it was tossed into the scrap metal bin.
    Hornung and Moller is a name I've heard before, I'll let you know if I hear back from Denmark regarding the make of their piano. Next time I'll bring a smaller tip and keep it in my checked luggage.
    Jonathan Moberg RPT
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    Jonathan Moberg RPT
    Shorewood WI
    (414) 962-2227
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Hornung & Moller

    Member
    Posted 08-21-2022 08:14
    I have the feeling it could be a a # 1 tip which I am not sure I have except on an el cheapo lever someone gave me. I will see the piano this week and can use a gauge on the pin as well as test the fit of existing tips. There where two Hornung names in the Pierce Atlas one for C.C. Hornung and the other for Hornung and Moller.
    C.C. Hornung was established in San Francisco in 1872 and Hornung & Moller was established much earlier in Denmark. What is extremely interesting is the fact that they had a patent for a full cast iron plate around the same time Jonas Chickering in the US made a grand and upright with one piece cast iron plates. The big mystery is who/where the plates where cast. In both countries there were limited foundries but it seems both are connected to foundries that cast cannons. i have established the fact that Chickering had plates cast by the Cyrus Alger South Boston Iron Works. This foundry used a strong cast iron made of a gun metal that was 2 to 3 x the strength of other cast iron. There is some evidence that Hornung's friend had a connection to a foundry that cast cannon- something I will be doing more research on. Of course Alpheus Babcock had cast plates earlier than both Hornung or Chickering having done so in the 1820's. So where did his plates come from ? Quite possibly from Alger as well . The pianos owner sent me a picture of the plate which was definitely made in Denmark. He claims there is quite a story behind the piano which I will hear this week

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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    Original Message