Before you start dusting off the inside of your piano, it is worth understanding what that serial number actually tells you.
By The Piano Archives Team
If you own a Beale piano (or have inherited one from a grandparent), you are sitting on a piece of Australasian music history. Beale was a dominant force in piano manufacturing from the late 19th century well into the 20th century.
But how old is it? Is it a pre-war heirloom or a 1970s model? The answer is stamped inside your instrument.
Here is the definitive guide to looking up your Beale piano serial number.
Performing a Beale piano serial number lookup transforms a piece of furniture into a story. You discover if your piano was built the year the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened (1932) or during the post-war boom of the 1950s. More practically, it saves you from overpaying for a restoration or undervaluing an antique treasure.
Take ten minutes today. Lift the lid, squint at the cast iron frame, and find that number. You might just discover that your humble upright is a forgotten piece of Australian musical history.
Have a serial number that doesn’t match any chart? Leave the details in the comments below or contact a registered piano technician for a professional appraisal.
Finding the age of a Beale piano is relatively straightforward once you locate the serial number, which is typically five to six digits long. Because Beale pianos were famously known for their "All-Iron Tuning System," these numbers are almost always stamped directly onto the iron frame. 1. Where to Find the Serial Number beale piano serial number lookup
Depending on your model, the serial number can usually be found in one of these locations:
Upright Pianos: Open the top lid. Look for a number stamped or painted on the gold-colored iron plate (the harp). It is often located near the tuning pins in the center or right-hand side.
Grand Pianos: Lift the lid and remove the music desk. The serial number is usually on the iron plate near the tuning pins or stamped on the soundboard.
Alternative Locations: If not on the frame, check the top of the wooden back panel or the front of the action frame (the internal mechanism). 2. Beale Piano Serial Number Chart
Use the following production years and corresponding serial numbers to estimate your piano's age. If your number falls between two entries, your piano was manufactured during those years.
Selling a Beale Upright Piano: Value and Serial Number Guide
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): Before you start dusting off the inside of
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:
piano, an icon of Australian manufacturing founded by Octavius Beale in 1893, is renowned for its "All Iron Tuning System," specifically patented to withstand Australia’s harsh, variable climate. For owners and collectors, performing a serial number lookup
is the definitive way to determine an instrument's age and historical context, which in turn influences its appraisal value for sale or restoration. OVERS PIANOS How to Locate the Serial Number
On a Beale piano, the serial number is typically a five or six-digit number. You can find it in the following common locations: Collections WA How might I find out what year my Beale Pianola was made? This is the hardest part
Let’s clear up three common misunderstandings:
Myth 1: "A high serial number means a newer piano." Truth: Not necessarily. Beale used batch numbering. A high number like 185,000 could be 1955, while 200,000 could be 1965. Always use a chart, not guesswork.
Myth 2: "If the piano is free, age doesn't matter." Truth: An extremely old Beale (pre-1900) may have an iron frame that cannot handle modern string tension. You could spend $1,000 moving and tuning a piano that is effectively a museum piece, not a playable instrument.
Myth 3: "The number inside the lid is always correct." Truth: Some restorers stamp their own internal tracking numbers. Always verify that the number on the cast iron frame matches the number on the wooden back-action. If they differ, the piano has been rebuilt and the original serial number is likely on the iron frame.
While the original Beale company is defunct, dedicated Australian piano forums and groups like the "Beale Piano Enthusiasts" on Facebook often have members who have compiled private databases from factory floor records that never made it into the Pierce Atlas.
If you are holding a Beale piano right now, do the following:
This is the hardest part. Do not look at the sheet music stand. You need to look inside.
Open the top lid (the lid that props up for concerts). Look down at the cast iron plate (the gold/green/bronze metal frame).
What you are looking for: A number typically between 4,000 and 180,000. (Note: Do not confuse the "Patent Number" or "Model Number" with the Serial Number. The Serial Number is usually a lower digit count and seems random).