Knight upright piano

[dpc1]

Hi I recently received a present of a Knight piano, which I know nothing about. Can you please tell me the date of manufacture? The Reg design number is 812773, British Patent numbers 477297, 496082, 538671, and the following number is inscribed on the top right (inside)-no. 44119
Can you please tell me the model type also? There is a panel on the bottom, over the pedals, which has two sliding doors, opening in to the workings of the piano itself.
Any info greatly appreciated.

[Bill Kibby]

I can't tell you the model. Design numbers and patent numbers don't help with the date. 44119 would suggest 1968-69, but it should be dated on the keys. Have a look at my Datemarks page at http://www.pianogen.org

[vernon]

sliding dors over the pedals sounds odd.
sounds like a player but knights never made one. How odd

[Bill Kibby]

If they definitely didn't make a player, perhaps they are fold-away pedals, but I can't recall any that modern, or any on Knight pianos. Do the pedals fold upwards?

[dpc1]

Thanks for your info. Pedals don't fold upwards-they have a 3in by 10 in approx brass-style (kick?)panel around them, with the sliding doors above them again.
Top of piano come to a point approx 2 in's above "natural" top-I'm told this piano was bought from a pub in the UK, and this was a common practice to stop pints, ashtrays etc. being left on top!

[vernon]

never seen anything like that. What are the sliding doors for? Any chance of a pic?

As regards the " pointed top" Danemann used to do a NAAFI piano with rounded top supposedly for deterring people putting pints on top.

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, a NAAFI piano would explain the top, but what is the point of having sliding doors to nowhere? Do we assume then that the whole bottom door (the front panel below keyboard level) does not come out? The sliding dooors would then be the only means of accessing the pedal action, and replacing strings. Not a job I'd fancy!

[vernon]

sounds similar idea to the 1960's Bentley with the grand fall, which had only a small centre bottom door( with brass kickplate).
As Bill says,absolute murder to service pedals and strings.
I've several round here. Nice enough pianos tho'
Still intrigued by this seeemingly one-off Knight.
We sold Knights from the War till they closed and never saw anything like this one .

[dpc1]

Thanks for replies - here is an image that might help

[Bill Kibby]

You described it well, that's pretty much how I pictured it, but I am none the wiser!

[vernon]

tHAT IS AN INCREDIBLE PICTURE. nEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.iF THE WHOLE BOTTOM DOOR DOESN'T COME OUT THEN YOU COULDN'T FIt A NEW STRING OR ADJUST THE PEDALS.. aNYBODY ANY IDEA WHAT THE SLIODING DOORS WERE FOR?
tHEY ARE A VERY COMPLICATED AND EXPENSIVE FEATURE FOR NO APPARENT PURPOSE.
(SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS)