Dating An English Lachenal.

[spanishman]

I recently purchased an Laachenal English concertina, discovered in a house clearance in England. The serial number is 1831 or 1881. It is a most unusual instrument having 39 keys but on closer inspection the lefthand action box end has an extra hole in the position normally used for the air button although this is covered internally by the baffle. The reed pan follows the normal layout for an English and the action box has the usual Lachenal "better quality" hooked pivots. The action box buttons do not appear to be the normal size for an English. Internally there does not appear to be any modifications made at a later date, so I can only presume the instrument to be manufactured as a "trial model" or has been made to a special order from a customer. It seems to be in original condition but does require a full service/rebuild. Bellows are in need of a lot of TLC but are in amazing condition if my understanding of the method of dating is correct tobe circa the first year that Lachanel started production. I am not a collector, only a player/restorerbut doneed help on this one.

[Geoff Wooff]

The serial number and the number of buttons suggest to me that what you have is a MacCann duet and not an' English'. Perhaps if you could post a photograph it will help to identify and date your instrument.