Kern Piano?

[Kaminlena]

A few years ago (when I was going to become a piano tuner) I came across a small grand piano at a closing piano store. It was obviously old, the store owner told me it had been imported from Vienna in the early 1900s. I got it for nothing -- literally -- and went about starting to practice tuning on it. I got it open and realized something wasn't right... The mechanisms are nothing like modern pianos... It actually looks closer to a harpsichord, but with a hammer not a plectrum. And, it only has 81 keys (A-A). I've been trying to research it, and have come up short. Got any ideas?

[Bill Kibby]

Check the complete, exact wording on the piano. 81 notes cannot be A-A, it is probably 85 notes, or 7 octaves, which is the normal range of most antique pianos.

[Kaminlena]

Check the complete, exact wording on the piano. 81 notes cannot be A-A, it is probably 85 notes, or 7 octaves, which is the normal range of most antique pianos.

Oops! Yes, you're quite right, it's 85 keys, not 81.

And the exact wording on the front of the piano is:
Jos. Hnatay vorm. Kern, Wien.

I appreciate the help!

[Bill Kibby]

"Wien" means Vienna, and "Vorm" means formerly. The business of Alois Kern was taken over by Jos. Hnatay, but we have no further information.

[Kaminlena]

Very interesting!

That gives me someplace to start.

Thanks for the help!!