B.Squire and Son

[Jeremy]

I have a piano made by B.Squire and Son, and would like to know the date of manufacture, and a rough idea of the value for insurance purposes.
I know that it is pre-Kemble, but the only other clue is the serial number 40840. I don't know where to go to get more information.
Any help or information gratefully received!
Many thanks

[Bill Kibby]

Some of the published information about when Kembles made them is wrong, but numbers are not a reliable indication unless preceded by that letter K, and Squire & Son was around for a very long time, so photos are the best bet. As for valuation, start at the top of the forum page.

[Jeremy]

Bill.
Thanks very much for your pointers. Will follow up and get photograph.

[Bill Kibby]

Valuation is impossible without on-the-spot inspection to torque-test every tuning pin, and test the pitch, regulation, downbearing, soundboard, etc. and general internal condition. See
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/valua ... ianos.html

As for the date, see
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

[Bill Kibby]

You need someone who knows about wood finishing to see what it has on it, and advise about that. Or, strip it all off and start again. If you just mean removing bloom from french polish, try 3-in-1 oil, it's amazing, it does what it says on the tin!

Pre-Kemble Squires don't have Kemble numbers, this would probably be shortly after 1900, but see
http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/piano ... mbers.html