John Brinsmead serial number

[Roddy]

I'm trying to use the serial number to date my John Brinsmead piano but the only number I can find is S3227 which seems to be a digit short from all the serial number lists I can find on the internet. Have I a fake!?

[Bill Kibby]

I think you can ignore the idea of a fake. If you have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/numbers.html
you can read that the whole process of dating pianos by numbers is NOT simple. Brinsmead numbers, for example, are often widely out. It also says that a number like this preceded by a letter is not a serial number, it is a dealer's stock number. Serial numbers can often be found simply by lifting the top and looking in, but it isn't always that easy. Have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html

I could tell you more if you could upload photos to show what the whole piano looks like. Otherwise, you can email them to me.