How to Find the Serial Number on Your C. Bechstein Piano
If you’re researching a C. Bechstein piano, determining its age, or preparing to buy or sell a used instrument, one of the first things you’ll need is the piano’s serial number. The serial number can help identify when the piano was manufactured and provide valuable insight into its history and value.
As one of the world’s most prestigious piano manufacturers, C. Bechstein has produced exceptional upright and grand pianos since 1853. Fortunately, locating the serial number is usually straightforward.
Where Is the Serial Number on a C. Bechstein Upright Piano?
On most C. Bechstein upright pianos, the serial number is located on the cast iron frame inside the piano.
To find it:
• Open the top lid of the piano.
• Look toward the upper portion of the cast iron plate.
• The serial number is typically stamped or cast directly into the frame and may consist of five to seven digits depending on the piano’s age.
On some older instruments, the serial number may also appear on the soundboard, action components, or keyframe, but the plate number is generally considered the primary serial number.
Where Is the Serial Number on a C. Bechstein Grand Piano?
On most C. Bechstein grand pianos, the serial number is found on the cast iron plate beneath the lid.
Open the lid and look near the front section of the plate, usually close to the tuning pins or plate flange area. The number is often clearly stamped into the frame and can be viewed without removing any components.
Because Bechstein has maintained excellent production records throughout its history, the serial number can often be used to accurately determine the piano’s manufacturing year.
Why Is the C. Bechstein Serial Number Important?
Your C. Bechstein serial number can help you:
• Determine the piano’s age
• Verify authenticity
• Research manufacturing history
• Estimate market value
• Assist with restoration and service records
This information is particularly important when evaluating a used C. Bechstein piano, as age, condition, and restoration history can significantly affect value.
C. Bechstein Serial Number Lookup
Once you’ve located the serial number, you can compare it against a C. Bechstein serial number chart to estimate the piano’s production year.
This is especially useful for buyers searching for:
• Vintage C. Bechstein pianos
• German-made pianos
• Restored Bechstein grand pianos
• Antique Bechstein upright pianos
Year Serial Number
1853-1858 1-175
1859 176
1860 300
1861 476
1862 710
1863 1102
1864 1305
1865 1595
1866 1869
1867 2369
1868 3154
1869 3673
1870 4196
1871 4855
1872 5756
1873 6580
1874 7328
1875 8070
1876 8924
1877 9596
1878 10213
1879 10933
1880 11676
1881 12558
1882 13596
1883 14715
1884 15705
1885 16704
1886 17629
1887 19058
1888 20640
1889 22628
1890 24958
1891 27456
1892 30198
1893 32735
1894 35111
1895 37785
1896 40448
1897 43352
1898 46879
1899 50490
1900 54181
1901 57871
1902 61615
1903 65809
1904 69829
1905 78185
1907 82390
1908 86114
1909 90138
1910 94753
1911 99469
1912 103786
1913 108112
1914 110016
1915 110898
1916 112067
1917 113123
1918 113773
1919 114822
1920 115783
1921 117126
1922 119211
1923 121322
1924 123320
1925 126160
1926 128572
1927 131473
1928 133743
1929 136067
1930 137446
1932 138345
1933 138989
1935 139999
1936 140714
1937 141600
1938 142417
1939 143270
1940 143890
1941 144360
1942 144740
1943 145000
1944 145220
1945 146235
1950 147000
1951 147133
1952 147300
1953 147600
1954 148000
1956 148650
1957 148850
1958 149900
1959 150600
1960 151950
1961 152683
1962 153400
1963 154306
1964 155300
1965 156400
1966 157570
1967 158740
1968 159840
1969 161100
1970 162300
1971 163400
1972 164400
1973 165470
1974 166600
1975 167800
1976 168950
1977 170150
1978 171350
1979 172550
1980 173785
1981 174819
1982 175749
1983 176428
1984 177110
1985 177800
1986 178422
1987 179105
1988 179754
1989 180311
1990 180821
1991 181522
1992 182103
1993 182539
1994 183219
1995 183917
1996 184580
1997 185302
1998 186074
1999 186666
2000 187537
2001 188393
2002 189243
2003 190386
2004 191644
2005 192945
2006 194398
2007 196024
2008 197624
2009 199093
2010 200688
2011 202173
2012 203629
2013 204914
2014 206300
2015 207540