Kemmler Upright with iron frame and birdcage action

[RayShillito]

We have a Kemmler (Stuttgart) upright with a birdcage action and an iron frame. It has what looks liek a serial number of P16106. The frame says Kemmler and Co.
It was refurbished by Squire of Ealing, probably some ti me in the 50's.
Any ideas of its real age? Or of a site that could help.

Thanks,

Ray Shillito

[Barrie Heaton]

There are no published numbers you could look at the Overdamper Action (Birdcage to you ) as see if there is a serial number on there however , you will need to remove the action or at the very least pull it forward and the is best done by your tuner because if the tapes have perished you will find it very difficult to put it back

If you do find the number then go to Bill web site and look up the action numbers if you know what make of action it is, other that that you can send some photos to Bill with a small donation and he will date if for you

Barrie,

[Bill Kibby]

The number you quote looks like a dealer's stock number from a firm that sells pianos and other things, hence P for piano. No serial number dates are published for Kemmler, but I can tell you that I have a 1905 receipt for #4526, and #5123 is circa 1907,dated by the Langer action number 28,890. Is there a number anything like these in your piano? Also, press www below, then press "Datemarks".

[RayShillito]

Thanks for the tip - I found a stamp and number on the inside of the action (it is in good condition) with the name Fritz Kruger. A picture of the case number is at:
http://www.countyroadworks.com/images/Case.jpg
The Stamp on the action:
http://www.countyroadworks.com/images/Stamp.jpg
and the wider view (of the action out of the piano) at:
http://www.countyroadworks.com/images/P1010016.jpg

I presume this is a German Piano and am more interested in the date than valuation.

Thanks for the interest.

Ray Shillito
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[Bill Kibby]

KRUGER was not one of the top action makers, so the pianos often don't provide precise dates. This, in brief, is all I have ready on computer, but I'll see what else I can find on card and paper files.

Circa 1900 Obermeier has a Kruger action 32,218.
Circa 1905 Obermeier piano action was made by Fritx Kruger, Germany, and has the number 35,326.

Circa 1907 C. Kemmler & Co., Osnabruck piano #5,123 was dated by the Langer action number 28,890.

These Kruger numbers don't seem to run in order, but it is important to remember that actions would be stockpiled for a few years. It would be interesting to try to date the piano approximately, so that the Kruger number becomes more useful in future.