Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup Jun 2026

"What for?"

The Beale company, founded by , was a pillar of Australian industry. While they started in 1893, large-scale production increased after 1902.

Have you completed your Beale piano serial number lookup? Share your results and photos in the comments below. If you need help locating a hidden number, consult a registered piano technician before attempting any DIY disassembly.

Piano Serial Numbers Search - Find the Age & History of Your Piano beale piano serial number lookup

The number is typically stamped directly onto the iron frame near the tuning pins, often in the center or the top right-hand corner.

| Serial Number Range | Approximate Year of Manufacture | | :--- | :--- | | | 1893 – 1895 | | 500 – 2,000 | 1896 – 1900 | | 2,000 – 5,000 | 1901 – 1905 | | 5,000 – 10,000 | 1906 – 1910 | | 10,000 – 20,000 | 1911 – 1920 | | 20,000 – 35,000 | 1921 – 1930 | | 35,000 – 50,000 | 1931 – 1940 | | 50,000 – 65,000 | 1946 – 1955 | | 65,000 – 80,000 | 1956 – 1965 | | 80,000 – 100,000 | 1966 – 1975 | | 100,000 – 120,000 | 1976 – 1985 |

The most common location is stamped or embossed directly onto the metal frame. Open the top lid and look near the tuning pins, often in the "V" shaped area between the bass and tenor strings. "What for

Before you start dusting off the inside of your piano, it is worth understanding what that serial number actually tells you.

| Year of Manufacture | Serial Number Range | Historical Context | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1895 | 1 – 500 | First year of production, Alexandria, Sydney. Extremely rare. | | 1900 | 1500 – 2500 | Art Nouveau cases popular. | | 1905 | 6000 – 8500 | Federation-era designs. | | 1910 | 15000 – 18000 | Rising Australian nationalism. | | 1915 | 22000 – 26000 | WWI disrupts German felt imports. | | 1920 | 30000 – 35000 | Post-war boom. Beale becomes Australia's largest piano maker. | | 1925 | 42000 – 48000 | "Golden Age" of quality. Overstrung underdamper actions. | | 1930 | 55000 – 60000 | Great Depression begins – production slows. | | 1935 | 65000 – 68000 | Art Deco designs appear. | | 1940 | 72000 – 75000 | Steel shortages due to WWII. | | 1945 | 77000 – 80000 | Post-war restart. Simple cabinet designs. | | 1950 | 85000 – 90000 | Rise of radio and TV – piano sales decline. | | 1955 | 93000 – 96000 | Modern styling (mid-century). | | 1960 | 100000 – 103000 | Last truly "Australian-made" parts. | | 1965 | 105000 – 107000 | Manufacturing quality begins to vary. | | 1970 | 110000 – 112000 | Production moves partially overseas. | | 1975 | 113000 – 114500 | Final years of Sydney production. | | 1980 | 115000 – 116000 | Very rare. Mostly imported stencil pianos. | | 1985+ | 117000+ | Beale brand used on Asian imports. |

Sometimes stamped on the wooden soundboard, especially near the tuning pins. Share your results and photos in the comments below

Beale Piano Serial Number Lookup: A Guide to Dating Your Australian Classic

Look inside the top lid. The serial number is often stamped onto the iron plate (or harp), usually located near the V-shaped area formed between the bass and tenor strings.

While finding out the age of your Beale is the most common reason for a serial number lookup, many owners are also curious about its value. It's crucial to understand that a piano’s age is just one small factor in determining its worth. The instrument's .

The Beale Piano story is a classic Australian success story that began with the ambition of one man: Octavius Charles Beale. Born in Ireland in 1850, Beale emigrated to Australia as a child, embarking on a career that would see him become one of the nation's most influential industrialists. He started his business in 1884 by importing German upright pianos, which he branded and sold in Australia as the "Hapsburg" (or Habsburg) Beale. This was a common practice at the time and represents the very first chapter of the Beale legacy.