Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup

Before we find the date, a quick history. Charles Beale founded his company in Sydney, Australia, in the 1890s. Eventually, Beale was manufactured both in Sydney and later in the UK. They were famous for their player pianos and their distinctive "Beale Piano" stencils.

Knowing your serial number tells you if your piano was made before the Great Depression, during WWII (when metal was scarce), or after the brand consolidated.

Try: info@bealepianos.com.au – but note that modern Beale (imported stencil brand) may not have access to old records.

Before diving into the lookup process, it helps to understand the manufacturer. Beale Pianos is an iconic Australian brand with a rich history. The original Beale & Co. was founded in Sydney in the late 19th century. By the early 1900s, Beale had become the largest piano manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere, known for their innovative "Beale-Vox" player pianos and robust construction.

Why does history matter for a serial number lookup? Because ownership changed hands. The original Beale factory in Annandale (Sydney) closed in the late 20th century. Today, the brand name exists under new ownership (often linked to Yamaha or independent Australian distributors). Knowing when your piano was made helps you determine if it is a vintage, hand-crafted Australian instrument or a modern rebrand.

Once you have your serial number and year, share it in the comments below! We are building a user-submitted database of surviving Beale pianos.

Before you leave: If the piano hasn't been tuned in over a year, finding its age is great, but calling a technician is better. Older Beales require a gentle touch on the tuning hammer to prevent breaking the pins.

Happy hunting for that number!

Do you have a Beale piano? Leave the last three digits of your serial number and the year you think it is from in the comments!

To look up the age of a Beale piano, you must first locate the serial number, which is typically a five-to-six-digit number stamped or engraved inside the instrument. Once found, this number can be cross-referenced with production charts to determine the manufacture date. Where to Find the Serial Number

The location varies depending on the age and style of the Beale piano:

Inside the Top Lid: Fold the top lid back. Look for a number stamped into the timber on the top edge of the side panel (often on the left or right).

On the Cast Iron Frame (Harp): Open the top and inspect the gold-colored metal frame. The serial number is often embossed or painted near the tuning pins or strings.

Side of the Keys: Note that numbers written on the sides of individual keys are typically assembly marks for ordering the keys and are not the serial number.

Model vs. Serial Number: A shorter combination of letters and numbers is usually the model number, while the serial number is typically a longer sequence of digits (e.g., 16448 to 94983). Beale Piano Age Chart beale piano serial number lookup

The following table provides estimated manufacture years based on common Beale serial numbers: Serial Number Range Estimated Year 16,449 – 22,655 1905 – 1908 22,656 – 24,989 24,990 – 31,000 31,000 – 44,000 1900 – 1910 (Approx.) 44,000 – 65,000 1910 – 1918 65,000 – 72,100 1918 – 1923 72,100 – 75,700 1923 – 1926 75,700 – 79,600 1926 – 1939 80,000+

Note: For Hapsburg Beales imported from Germany (1884–1893), exact years for specific serial numbers under 16,448 are often unknown. Historical Context 1884–1893: Hapsburg Beales were imported from Germany.

1893–1902: Australian-made pianos used a non-iron tuning system.

1902: The famous Bader-Vader (or "Beale-Vader") steel-wrest-plank system was introduced, making these pianos highly durable in humid climates.

1976: The last Australian-made Beale piano was manufactured.

For more precise dating or to find values for specialized models like the Beale Melochord, you can consult the Pierce Piano Atlas or the Bluebook of Pianos.

What is the serial number you found, and are you looking to sell or restore the instrument? When Was my Australian Beale Piano Made? - Find Thingy Before we find the date, a quick history

To look up a Beale piano serial number , you first need to locate the 5- or 6-digit code stamped inside the instrument. This number identifies the specific manufacturing year for Beale pianos, which were famously produced in Australia from 1893 to 1975. en.wikipedia.org Where to Find Your Serial Number

The serial number is typically a standalone number without letters, though some older models may have a letter prefix. Common locations include: On the Cast Iron Plate (Harp):

Lift the top lid of an upright piano. The number is usually stamped or painted on the metal frame near the tuning pins, often in the center or on the right side. The V-Shaped Frame Area:

In many Australian-made Beales, look for the number inset in the metal frame between the bass and tenor strings. On the Action or Soundboard:

Occasionally, the number is stamped on the wooden soundboard or the cheek blocks (the wooden blocks at either end of the keyboard). Under the Lid Ledge:

Some models have the number on a small plaque or stamped directly onto the wooden ledge under the opened lid. Beale Piano Age Chart

Use the following list to estimate your piano's age based on its serial number: Do you have a Beale piano

Beale pianos (including Beale, Beale & Co., and later Beale-Chappell models) are important pieces of Australian musical history. If you own—or are researching—a Beale piano, serial numbers are the fastest way to estimate manufacture date, identify model series, and learn about provenance. This article explains where to find Beale serial numbers, how to read them, resources for dating, and tips for verifying history and valuation.