Yesterday, the Parisian Knabe Ampico was disassembled for moving and
storage in preparation for the owner to vacate the premises.  It will
likely remain in storage for a month or two while final shipping plans
are made.

The good news is that an additional stamped number was found on each
of the three legs that has a good chance of being the true serial
number: 82901 (see photo at the link below.)  This number puts the
piano in 1917, according to two references I have: Michel's Piano
Atlas, published in 1953 by N. E. Michel, Rivera, California, and
Hale's Piano Atlas, published in 1966 by Tuner's Supply Company, then
of Boston, Massachusetts.

Both of those references show Knabe starting numbers of 82000 for 1917
and 84000 for 1918 for a maximum 1917 production of 2000 (but probably
fewer) instruments.  Even at the "worst case", 2000 instruments equates
to an average of 167 per month, placing 82901 in early May, 1917.  So
if the piano is not shipped until sometime in June of this year, which
seems likely, there should be no argument from Customs agents that it
younger than 100 years old.  It would be helpful if anyone having
access to the Pierce Piano Atlas could confirm Knabe #82901 in 1917.

The most authoritative reference would be the Knabe factory shipping
records, if they exist anywhere.  Does anyone know?  Can any other
Knabe owners with serial numbers close to that confirm the practice
of stamping them on the legs as shown?  Who will be able to offer an
authoritative certification to the owner attesting to the age, given
this likely true serial number?

John Grant

 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/02/23/170223_101845_Knabe%2082901%20Serial%20Number.jpg