Can anyone help identify the maker of no. 4976?

[MarkRRutgers]

A couple of months ago I purchaced a weird concertina on an auction site. It was presented as possibly a Wheatstone, however, I doubt it is. The concertina is a single action 72 key. It  ranges impressively from C2 to C6 (i.e. 5 octaves!) The auction site suggested it may be a special make for an orchester conductor (?). It weighs a massive 4.6 kilo's and numbers no. 4976. This number is impressed all over (on the inside), but no other identification can be found. Wheatstone no. 4976 was sold May 9th 1854 to a Mr John Guest for 6.6.0  (Ledger C1049, page 005). The price indicates this was not a very expensive instrument, but my concertinan seems clearly pretty unique (and would not have been cheap, but specially made it seems to me). The instrument has been given new valves (and bolts) somewhere between 2010 and 2015 and plays well (though it is difficult to handle!). The number and quality suggests a maker that is experienced (Lachenal? but did they make special instruments?). Perhaps the action gives someone a clue as to whom might have been the maker. I appreciate any help, best Mark

[d.elliott]

That action is typical of a Roc Chidley instrument, as is the serial number range. It actually looks a bit familiar. are there any repairer stamps inside?

[d.elliott]

I have just checked some of my photos, I worked on that concertina around the end of September 2014. The owner was from the Netherlands. I have my worksheet of the time, my job number 14-36. At the time I identified the instrument as a Chidley or even a Scates.

 

The photos I have are all of the instrument prior to my work.

Edited September 16 by d.elliott
more info added.

[Peter Laban]

7 hours ago, d.elliott said:

 The owner was from the Netherlands.

As is the OP.

 

[d.elliott]

Peter, I  had noticed, but not the same name.

[Peter Laban]

But it makes sense the concertina was sold more or less locally.

[MarkRRutgers]

David, thank you for this information (we met twice at the Swaledale Squeeze). The original Dutch owner passed away and the concertina was auctioned at the Catawiki site (which I frequent for books; to my surprice a concertina popped up, and I could snap it up). Your information fits the only rough data the seller could provide me with regarding the work done to it 'by a good restaurator in England' 🙂 

Scates would make it a pretty early concertina: before 1849 (article Chris Flint, 2008). But a picture in the article does indeed show a some similaritiy in the construction of the action. Rock Chidley is still before 1867 (Chris Flint, 2010), and this article also shows some similarities. Both imply that the concertina is much older than I expected. By the way, maybe the reed construction also tells something (so I add a picture). The original case was totally wrecked, but I was able to restore it ( but also no sign anywhere of a maker).

I haven't been able to find another example with as much as 72 keys in the Horniman collection.

Edited September 16 by MarkRRutgers

[Richard Mellish]

Those reed frames look a bit wider than normal ones and are certainly much longer, longer even than necessary for their fixing screws. They must contribute a lot of weight. But there are marks in the wood which look like normal slots that have been filled in. Any ideas how that came about?

[Stephen Chambers]

3 hours ago, Richard Mellish said:

... there are marks in the wood which look like normal slots that have been filled in. Any ideas how that came about?

 

I see what you mean, and there are also screw holes that have been plugged with wood evident too. But that's all at the tip end and I'd wonder if the reeds might simply have been relocated closer to the edge of the reedpan?

[Geoffrey Crabb]

 

2 hours ago, Stephen Chambers said:

 

I see what you mean, and there are also screw holes that have been plugged with wood evident too. But that's all at the tip end and I'd wonder if the reeds might simply have been relocated closer to the edge of the reedpan?

 

Perhaps a view of the upper face of the reed pans might be of interest and give a clue.

 

Ignore that if the reed pan is fixed to the end box. Not thinking, getting too old 😩.

Edited September 17 by Geoffrey Crabb

[MarkRRutgers]

Apparently the slots for the reeds were originally 'too big' in many cases and 'plugged'. I include two pictures showing this from both sides.

Edited September 17 by MarkRRutgers

[Lofty]

It would be nice to hear this in action!

[Geoffrey Crabb]

I offer this two page attachment that may be found of interest, amusing or otherwise.😌

 

Page one, a preamble, contains some possible relevant information and page two, my thoughts on the subject concertina No. 4976.

 

Geoff

The title of attachment should be 4976. Getting too old 😢.

 

4926 +.docx

Edited September 27 by Geoffrey Crabb