Dating A Lachenal From The Serial Number

[wes williams]

I've already seen your earlier post, and it reminded me that the previous generation of concertina 'tinkerers' would often put instruments together from parts salvaged from beaten up concertinas and we have described them in the past as 'bitsa' boxes. Both your numbers are too high to suggest any maker other than Lachenal, or possibly Crabb. If Lachenal the reed pans would probably be from an anglo system c.1881/2, but the bellows could have come from an anglo c.1879, or an English c.1919. I don't recognise anything about the fret work, but perhaps one of the current generation of restorers may have seen something similar. Geoff Crabb has recently published date/serial info, so you could look there too.

[Tiposx]

That is really good info, and fits in with what I see. This tina has had a very hard life (so far) thank you Wes.

[R White]

I have a Salvation Army concertina, not played very often. The number inside is 172329. Any ideas, tips?? 

[R White]

[wes williams]

Datewise that number points to circa 1904. A photo or description of the ends would give us a lot more clues to answer your questions.

[Jonnotantan]

Hello lovely Lachenal Dating Gurus 🫡 I'm contemplating obtaining a Lachenal Excelsior Extended-Treble (56k), with a SN of 80738 - I'd be very appreciative if you could work your magic? 

[Bassconcertina.net]

I have just acquired 48 button Lachenal 88613. It’s a 48 button tutor model.

 

I was wondering around when it was made.
 

Thanks. 

 

[Doug Barr]

Hi Wes.

How about a date of a Bass Anglo 30b 6fold #150736?

Also about how many bass anglos are in the database?

Thanks

Doug

[wunks]

PM sent Kane.

[alex_holden]

8 hours ago, Doug Barr said:

How about a date of a Bass Anglo 30b 6fold #150736?

 

Hi Doug, what key is your bass Anglo?

[Doug Barr]

Hi Alex.  It is in "C"  BUT  the low note in the middle row is an "E" not a "C"   probably could not fit the big reed.

The outside row lowest note is F#/F

Thinking about selling it but only here in the USA.

[wes williams]

On 2/14/2026 at 10:19 PM, Doug Barr said:

Hi Wes.

How about a date of a Bass Anglo 30b 6fold #150736?

Also about how many bass anglos are in the database?

Thanks

Doug

Hi Doug,

We'd estimate 150736 as circa. 1896. There's only one bass Anglo in the database - 100086 c.1888 - and 5 bass English. But there may be some where 'bass' wasn't recorded.

[Doug Barr]

Thanks Wes.

[wes williams]

On 2/14/2026 at 8:25 PM, Bassconcertina.net said:

I have just acquired 48 button Lachenal 88613. It’s a 48 button tutor model.

 

I was wondering around when it was made.
 

Thanks. 

 

Sorry I missed this - as I've said quite a few times recently, English concertina reports only appear to go up to about 60,500 in any quantity although there are a few isolated 80,000 numbers that we think are stamping errors.

Sorry I can't help.