I have just obtained a Steinway XR and I am unable to find a serial
number on the plate. There is a number in the 170000 range stamped on
the bottom of the wood surround that encases the stack. This would date
the piano around 1915. I'm not sure this can be trusted as the actual
serial number or not.  Is there some other place to find the serial
number?

I have posted a few pictures at:

    http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/9374/steinway/

Take a look and let me know what you think.

For those of you who cannot view the pictures here is a list of the
features found on this piano maybe from this list you can give me an
approximation to the age.

    1. Box pump and motor mounted in piano
    2. No Tempomatic knob. Controls are as follows from bass to treble:

        a. Normal,
        b. Theme Graduation,
        c. Bass/Treble,
        d. Accompaniment Graduation,
        e. Tempo,
        f. Play/Reroll and
        g. Motor.

    3. The tracker bar tubing goes between the keys.
    4. Holtzer-Cabot motor
    5. Round valve plates

Any comments or help would be greatly appreciated.

Sam Harris - Greenville, North Carolina
sam@greenvillenc.com