Retrofitting a Steinway grand with the correct player action is
probably easier today than when I started in the collecting field.
There are two basic common types of player actions used in Steinway XR
players.  There were little differences in them as production changes
were made but still two basic types.  The other types are all after
1929 or so.

If the piano had a Tempomatic knob then it is early.  If the piano had
all levers in the keyslip then I would consider it late.  Currently
there seems to be a lot of gutting of the player actions so they are
out there if one looks hard enough and is willing to wait.

By the way the Steinway XR was extremely popular as the player version
and as the non player version it was popular as the model M which is
still made today.  If the piano was made after 1929 then finding the
correct player parts start to become a problem if you are a super
perfectionist.

Don Teach - Shreveport Music Co.
Shreveport, Louisiana