Piano dating guide
Blüthner piano serial numbers
Julius Blüthner established the company in Leipzig in 1853. Use this historical sequence to estimate when a Blüthner piano was made, then confirm the action type, model and construction details.
Where to look
On an upright, look on the iron frame around the tuning-pin area. On a grand, check the frame near the tuning pins and any clearly stamped factory markings.
Use the result carefully
Older Blüthner grands may have patent-action or later action designs. A serial date should be considered alongside the instrument itself, especially where parts have been replaced or restored.
Serial-number reference
Find the nearest serial number in the table. If the number falls between two entries, the likely production date falls between those years.
| Year | Serial no. | Year | Serial no. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1853 | 700 | 1942 | 126000 |
| 1855 | 1500 | 1943 | 127000 |
| 1860 | 2500 | 1946 | 128000 |
| 1862 | 4800 | 1947 | 128100 |
| 1865 | 6500 | 1948 | 128200 |
| 1868 | 8100 | 1949 | 128500 |
| 1870 | 9200 | 1950 | 128800 |
| 1875 | 13200 | 1951 | 129100 |
| 1880 | 18500 | 1952 | 129400 |
| 1885 | 25000 | 1953 | 129800 |
| 1890 | 31000 | 1954 | 130100 |
| 1891 | 32000 | 1955 | 130600 |
| 1892 | 34000 | 1956 | 131000 |
| 1893 | 36000 | 1957 | 131600 |
| 1894 | 39000 | 1958 | 132000 |
| 1895 | 42000 | 1959 | 132450 |
| 1896 | 45000 | 1960 | 133006 |
| 1897 | 47000 | 1961 | 135500 |
| 1898 | 49000 | 1962 | 136000 |
| 1899 | 52000 | 1963 | 136500 |
| 1900 | 55000 | 1964 | 137000 |
| 1901 | 57500 | 1965 | 137500 |
| 1902 | 60000 | 1966 | 138000 |
| 1903 | 62500 | 1967 | 138500 |
| 1904 | 65000 | 1968 | 139000 |
| 1905 | 67500 | 1969 | 139500 |
| 1906 | 70000 | 1970 | 140000 |
| 1907 | 72500 | 1971 | 140500 |
| 1908 | 75000 | 1972 | 141000 |
| 1909 | 78000 | 1973 | 141500 |
| 1910 | 81000 | 1974 | 142000 |
| 1911 | 84000 | 1975 | 142500 |
| 1912 | 87000 | 1976 | 143000 |
| 1914 | 90000 | 1977 | 143500 |
| 1915 | 94000 | 1978 | 144000 |
| 1916 | 95000 | 1979 | 144400 |
| 1917 | 96000 | 1980 | 144900 |
| 1918 | 97000 | 1981 | 145200 |
| 1919 | 98000 | 1982 | 145600 |
| 1920 | 100000 | 1983 | 146000 |
| 1921 | 101500 | 1984 | 146400 |
| 1922 | 103000 | 1985 | 146800 |
| 1923 | 105000 | 1986 | 147200 |
| 1924 | 107000 | 1987 | 147500 |
| 1925 | 109000 | 1988 | 147800 |
| 1926 | 111000 | 1989 | 148000 |
| 1927 | 112000 | 1990 | 148200 |
| 1928 | 113000 | 1991 | 146400 |
| 1929 | 114000 | 1992 | 148600 |
| 1930 | 115000 | 1993 | 148800 |
| 1931 | 115500 | 1994 | 149000 |
| 1932 | 116000 | 1995 | 149200 |
| 1933 | 117000 | 1996 | 149400 |
| 1934 | 118000 | 1997 | 149600 |
| 1935 | 119500 | 1998 | 149800 |
| 1936 | 120700 | 1999 | 150000 |
| 1937 | 122000 | 2000 | 150200 |
| 1938 | 123500 | 2001 | 150400 |
| 1939 | 124500 | 2002 | 150600 |
| 1940 | 125500 | 2003 | 150800 |
Need help identifying the piano?
Send clear photographs of the maker name, model marking, serial number and the full instrument. We can help distinguish the relevant markings before you rely on a date.