Estey Serial Numbers

How To Find Serial Numbers In Estey Reed Organs

Click on any photo for a larger version.


1.Melodeons	2. Melodeon Serial Number 5119 stamped into back rail	3. Melodeon Serial Number 5119 closeup	4. Melodeon Serial Number 7163 on small label

To find the serial number, lift the hinged lid.. Estey & Green serial numbers have 4 digits.

The serial number may be stamped into the top of the back rail (photos 2 and 3) or printed on a small paper sticker in the bass (left) back corner of the exhauster (photo 4).

The serial number may be penciled on parts inside.

J. Estey & Co. (1864-c.1882) and Estey Organ Co. (c.1882-c.1955) made numerous types and styles of reed organs, including the following:


5. Flattop Cottage Organ	6. Parlor Organ	7. Folding Organ	8. Chapel Organ	9. Two-Manual with Pedal Reed Organ

Lift the top if it is hinged, or remove the back board which is held on with cast iron catches or screws.

The serial number is printed on a paper label glued to the upper surface of the chest.

Photo 10 shows a typical Estey label with serial number 325469 printed in red in the space provided.

Note that Estey serial numbers do not include a comma.

The label in Photo 10 shows that Estey organ number 325469 was Set Up during Sept. 1901 by Estey employee number 49. The reeds were Tuned in the organ 10-15-1901, the tuning was Corrected 10-16-1901, and the tuning and organ Looked Over 12-23-1901, all by employee number 532.

These dates indicate that this newly-completed chapel organ was delivered to a church in time for Christmas 1901.

J. Estey & Co. Cottage Organ labels may have the year faintly penciled in the upper right corner.


10. Typical Label with Serial Number 325469 on SubBass Box	11. Label on treble side of Chest	12. Label on Chest behind Tremolo	13. Label on bass side of Chest	14. Label on top of Sub Bass Box.

If there is a Sub Bass box, the label may be on top of it, as in photos 10 and 14.

Labels in chapel organs and two-manual with pedal instruments may be high up, such as on top of the Sub Bass (photo 14) or pedal boxes, or on the Swell chest.

The serial number may also be printed on the warrantee, which may be tacked to the inside of the case.

If the serial number is not found on the label or warrantee inside the organ, the serial number may be stamped into the case, usually in the back top rail, bass side. When facing the back of the organ, numbers may be seen on your upper right. Look at the top rail of the organ proper; a removable top does not usually have the serial number on it.

Photo 15 shows serial number 128289 stamped into the back top rail of an Estey parlor organ.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In photo 15, the 3-digit and 4-digit numbers stamped into the top rail are not the serial number. The serial number of such an Estey organ will have 5 or 6 digits.

If you see only 3- and 4-digit numbers stamped into the back of the top rail, perhaps the serial number is stamped into the top edge of this top rail. It may be necessary to move the high top to see the top edge of the top rail.

16. Serial Number 100000 stamped into top of Top Rail

Photo 16 shows the milestone serial number 100000 stamped into the top edge of the back top rail of this historic Salon Organ. No.100000, built in 1880, is on exhibit at the Estey Organ Museum, where it may be played.

The serial number may be written in pencil or chalk on various case or action parts (photos 17 and 18).

Shine a light from various angles to better see writing on labels or parts. Illegible labels may be cleaned with a dry, soft brush. Be careful: The paper is fragile. The ink and pencil marks come off easily.

The Estey Organ Museum is compiling a list of serial numbers with known accurate dates. If you do find a definite year and/or months written in ink or pencil on a label, please send the label information to us at info@esteyorganmuseum.org. Please also send clear photos of the label and of the complete organ with the keys and stop knobs showing.

If the original date is not on the label, with the serial number you can estimate the organ’s year of completion by using our Date Estey-mater.