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I just inherited an old Baldwin that I was told was from the 1940's. The technician, piano mover and myself looked all over and could not find the serial number anyplace. Nothing has been done to the piano, so it isn't a matter of being painted over or rubbed out. The only number I could find is on the bottom of the slide out piece that holds the music. It is 09792. That would make the piano pre-1900's, but I am sure it isn't. The piano measures 6'5". I originally thought it was an "L," but was under the impression "L"'s are 6'3". The harp clearly says "Baldwin" as does the fall board, so I am sure it is a Baldwin. Can anyone help me out here? Thank you.

Baldwin serial numbers are always in the area between the bass and tenor tuning pins. If it is not there, chances are you are out of luck. The scale designation is cast near the bass hitch pins. That would give a clue to the model.

Thank you. I checked an cannot find a serial number or a scale designation. I feel like an idiot cause it must be there somewhere. As I was cleaning the keys, I just noticed that the corresponding key designation was indicated in a raised letter tat the end of the key nearest the fall board. It was actually part of the key itself and matched the whiteness of the key. So the "C" had a lightly raised "C" at the top, the "D" as well, all throughout the keyboard. Does this mean the keyboard was replaced at some point or did Baldwin make it that way? Does that give any indication to the possible year it was made? It also has a raised moulding along the side.

The note designations on the end of the keytops means that the original keytops have been replaced with plastic ones. If the piano is from the 40s, there is a pretty good chance that the old keytop material was ivory.

You might check on the underside of the piano, where the lyre is screwed to the bottom of the keybed. Sometimes, serial numbers are stamped there. Get a strong light and carefully examine the underside of the piano and you might get lucky.

Or not!