What options are there for repairing a Lachenal concertina?

[Natalie]

Hello, decades ago, I picked up a Lachenal and Co., concertina just because I liked the look of it. It appears to be a 48 button Concertina (24 metal buttons each end with slightly different configurations). The bellows have five folds. 

 

It’s in pretty much the same condition as when I bought it. The two ends are not attached so I have the serial number 42415.

 

Does this date it to the mid 1870s or later?

 

The handles are missing. The paper is split in multiple places, but the leather tips of the bellows are intact. 
 

I am not sure if it can be repaired or is it best sold for parts to someone who knows what they’re doing? 

[David Barnert]

2 hours ago, Natalie said:

The two ends are not attached so I have the serial number 42415.

 

Does this date it to the mid 1870s or later?

 

Dating a Lachenal from the serial number is complicated, because the relationship is not linear and the sequences are different for different types of concertina. @wes williams is the go-to guy with the most relevant documentation and he’s most likely to notice your question if you post it in this thread:

 

[Natalie]

Thank you! I’ll repost in that thread. Much appreciated.

[Stephen Chambers]

On 4/22/2025 at 2:36 AM, Natalie said:

The handles are missing. The paper is split in multiple places, but the leather tips of the bellows are intact. 
 

I am not sure if it can be repaired or is it best sold for parts to someone who knows what they’re doing? 

 

It looks like it's eminently repairable, by someone who knows what they’re doing.

[d.elliott]

This is not a self-repair job for most people, It needs someone experienced and practised in this sort of work, I would strongly advise not a general squeezebox repairer, but a concertina specialist