Piano dating guide
Bösendorfer piano serial numbers
Bösendorfer was founded by Ignaz Bösendorfer in Vienna in 1828. Use this historical serial sequence as an approximate guide, then confirm the result against the model and construction details.
Where to look
On a grand piano, inspect the cast-iron frame near the tuning pins and the soundboard area. Copy the complete factory number and any nearby letters.
Use the result carefully
Older instruments may have service, case or component numbers as well as the principal factory serial. Treat the table as a guide rather than a certificate of age.
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.
Bösendorfer
| Year | Serial no. | Year | Serial no. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1828 | 4 | 1944 | 26730 |
| 1830 | 200 | 1948 | 26830 |
| 1840 | 490 | 1949 | 26883 |
| 1850 | 3000 | 1950 | 26960 |
| 1860 | 5000 | 1951 | 27060 |
| 1870 | 6400 | 1952 | 27170 |
| 1875 | 8000 | 1953 | 27300 |
| 1880 | 9300 | 1954 | 27390 |
| 1885 | 10800 | 1955 | 27490 |
| 1890 | 12200 | 1956 | 27640 |
| 1891 | 12470 | 1957 | 27700 |
| 1892 | 12860 | 1958 | 27800 |
| 1893 | 13170 | 1959 | 27900 |
| 1894 | 13500 | 1960 | 28017 |
| 1895 | 13870 | 1961 | 28019 |
| 1896 | 14220 | 1962 | 28126 |
| 1897 | 14560 | 1963 | 28227 |
| 1898 | 14900 | 1964 | 28329 |
| 1899 | 15300 | 1965 | 28434 |
| 1900 | 15640 | 1966 | 28546 |
| 1901 | 16000 | 1967 | 28650 |
| 1902 | 16380 | 1968 | 28785 |
| 1903 | 16800 | 1969 | 28936 |
| 1904 | 17200 | 1970 | 29109 |
| 1905 | 17620 | 1971 | 29305 |
| 1906 | 18080 | 1972 | 29547 |
| 1907 | 18490 | 1973 | 29869 |
| 1908 | 18860 | 1974 | 30224 |
| 1909 | 19250 | 1975 | 30622 |
| 1910 | 19640 | 1976 | 31109 |
| 1911 | 20060 | 1977 | 31569 |
| 1912 | 20480 | 1978 | 32103 |
| 1913 | 20870 | 1979 | 32730 |
| 1914 | 21100 | 1980 | 33444 |
| 1915 | 21370 | 1981 | 34196 |
| 1916 | 21660 | 1982 | 35140 |
| 1917 | 21870 | 1983 | 36001 |
| 1918 | 22070 | 1984 | 36701 |
| 1919 | 22330 | 1985 | 37445 |
| 1920 | 22530 | 1986 | 38246 |
| 1921 | 22800 | 1987 | 39026 |
| 1922 | 23060 | 1988 | 39715 |
| 1923 | 23300 | 1989 | 40384 |
| 1924 | 23580 | 1990 | 41062 |
| 1925 | 23880 | 1991 | 41698 |
| 1926 | 24160 | 1992 | 42310 |
| 1927 | 24490 | 1993 | 42790 |
| 1928 | 24850 | 1994 | 43095 |
| 1929 | 25120 | 1995 | 43374 |
| 1930 | 25350 | 1996 | 43660 |
| 1931 | 25470 | 1997 | 43948 |
| 1932 | 25530 | 1998 | 44324 |
| 1933 | 25560 | 1999 | 44680 |
| 1934 | 25600 | 2000 | 45150 |
| 1935 | 25700 | 2001 | 45695 |
| 1936 | 25800 | 2002 | 46206 |
| 1937 | 25880 | 2003 | 46690 |
| 1938 | 26000 | 2004 | 47146 |
| 1939 | 26140 | 2005 | 47531 |
| 1940 | 26290 | 2006 | 47920 |
| 1941 | 26430 | 2007 | 48244 |
| 1942 | 26550 | 2008 | 48625 |
| 1943 | 26660 |
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.