Monington & Weston Patent no 268041

[Jenifer2601]

Hi, I have just inherited a piano from my Aunt and am chasing any information you may be able to give me regarding the age and materials it is constructed of. The following details are stamped/engraved in the metal framework;
Patent No 268041 Mornington and Weston London
When looking at the back of the piano, halfway down on the left side, the number 2363 is also stamped/engraved, would this be the serial no? As far as I know my Father who was born in 1933 learnt to play on this piano, but as neither my Father or Aunt passed this information on before passing away I can't be sure of the accuracy. Any information you are able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you.

[Bill Kibby]

Firstly, the name is Monington & Weston. Patent numbers do not tell us the date of a piano. The number 2363 could suggest a date around 1870, but without seeing photos, I cannot say whether this is likely. Most pianos have several numbers inside. Have a look at pianogen.org

In 1986, Monington & Weston very kindly donated some archive material to our Piano History Centre, but it won't help with this question.

[Jenifer2601]

Thank you for your reply, I'll check out the site you suggested, your help has been very much appreciated.

[alicebelcher]

Hi There Im Wanting To Sell The Piano And Have No Idea How Old It Is,
I Have A Photo Here.
Do You Think Maybe You Will Be Able To Tell From It? It Has The Patent Number 268041 Also

[Colin Nicholson]

To 'Alicebelcher'

If you read Bill's reply to Jenifer2601 post, patent numbers do not tell the age of a piano. A 'patent' number is a number logged elsewhere (like the numerical order of an invention) that is awarded to that particular name of piano company, so that no one can copy its name or design - sort of like a protection policy/ trades description etc. If you 'patent' something, say your own invention, you reserve the rights to that product so no one can "copyright" it. Let's say that I invented something immediately after Monington & Weston's design, then registered it - so the patent number would possibly follow on from the previous patent - 268042 - get my drift?

The piano looks around from the 1970's onwards - possibly later. The serial number may be inside the piano, and you will need to remove the front panel to see it - either printed on the gold cast frame near the tuning pins, or perhaps on the soundboard behind the strings.It will probably be a 5-digit number, starting #7XXXX

Hope that helps.....

[Bill Kibby]

Yes, it certainly looks that sort of period, as Colin says, or perhaps even nearer the time the factory closed in 1986.