Louis Lachenal or Jones ?

[chris rowe]

I purchased this rosewood 20 key via Ebay last week, it was advertised as a "Louis Lachenal", the label in the cartouche is a modern copy of the correct label, the serial number is 12112 which if it is a genuine Louis would date it by my reckoning to about 1863, it has the original case which is very well made of solid timber. There is some conjecture as to whether it is a Jones or a Lachenal, so here I am asking for those with much greater experience than mine to advise their opinion.

The bone keys were originally all numbered, but numbers on the most keys have been erased by wear (up to 2mm), at some stage a wooden extension has been added to the air button; the bellows look original but need significant repairs if not replacement, but are good enough to establish all notes work and are in tune (A440) so at some stage it has been retuned, it plays quite well. 

Comparing it to my 30 key Lachenal S/No.164895, the dimensions are the same, the fretwork is different, the bellows papers are the same, the keys are a different size 6.4 mm on the 20, 5.8 mm on the 30, spacing is the same. The fretwork on the 20  looks identical to that on the Louis Lachenal in the Concertina Museum #C290. The levers on both are the same, flattened round brass, hooked not riveted, the levers on the 20 are under staples, whereas on the 30 they are through  rectangular flat steel posts. The overall construction of the 20 key looks superior to that of the 30, the routing is cleaner and more precise, the reed shoes fit perfectly, each is very clearly stamped with it's note, the stamping on the 30 is very rough and not  distinct. The brass reed shoes are 1.91mm thick, reeds are steel. Internally the only marking is the serial number, externally the palm supports lack the trade mark and "Steel Reeds" stamp, but from the amount of wear appear original, on the sides of both ends roughly adjacent to the air button is stamped "C.STAFF"  

[Takayuki YAGI]

According to this page http://www.concertina.com/chambers/lachenal-production/

anglos with reedshoe trademark had produced after 1879. And if my memory serves correctly, Jones had riveted action. So I think this one is Louis Lachenal.

[Takayuki YAGI]

I once saw a "C STAFF MAKER" stamped instruments on ebay from Australia. That was 20 button with 118XX serial number (unreadable). The photo below is from ebay in 2007 (not mine).

[Takayuki YAGI]

I found a relevant thread.

 

[chris rowe]

Thank you, that explains the C.Staff, he was a musical instrument dealer in Melbourne, went bust briefly in 1864 then traded to the latter end of the century.

[malcolm clapp]

Chris, I can see nothing to persuade me that the 20 key in question is anything but a Louis Lachenal. However, a slightly off-topic question regarding your other Lachenal. You mention the action "on the 30 they are through rectangular flat steel posts".  I've never seen original posts on a 30 key Lachenal made from anything but brass. Just curious.....

[chris rowe]

Thanks Malcolm,

I stand corrected, I assumed steel from the colour.

[malcolm clapp]

1 hour ago, chris rowe said:

Thanks Malcolm,

I stand corrected, I assumed steel from the colour.

 

Well, if they are the colour of steel, maybe they are.... 😔 

Some years back, I had some one assure me that the reed shoes in the Lachenal he was selling were steel; he sent me a photo, from which I assumed he had mistaken steel for aluminium by the colour, (as used by some makers to reduce weight.) However, when the concertina arrived, sure enough they were steel and looked very original. Never struck them before or since.

Nothing's impossible.... 🙃

[chris rowe]

Malcolm, you are totally correct, I just checked my 30 key with the benefit of a good light, the fulcrum posts are definitely brass, I think I need to visit the optician !