HOW OLD IS MY PIANO?
FREE PIANO IDENTIFICATION & SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL
What Year Was My Howard Piano Made?
(Serial Number Lookup + Guide)
DIRECT ANSWER
Howard pianos can often be dated by the serial number stamped on the cast-iron plate, usually near the tuning pins. On Howard grands, check the plate inside the piano; on uprights, open the top lid or front panel and look near the tuning pins.
The important exception is that Howard was used during more than one production era. Later Baldwin-era Howards generally follow Baldwin serial chronology, while earlier Chicago-built instruments—and some Conway-built spinets and consoles—can require the piano’s size category to identify the correct era.
HOWARD PIANO SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL
HOW TO FIND YOUR HOWARD PIANO’S SERIAL NUMBER
HOWARD GRAND PIANOS
Lift the lid and look inside along the plate, usually near the tuning pins or bass strings.
The serial number is usually stamped directly onto the metal frame.
HOWARD UPRIGHT PIANOS
Open the top lid or front panel and look inside the piano.
The serial number is usually stamped into the cast iron plate, typically near the tuning pins.
DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS
Numbers printed on paper labels or decals.
Numbers stamped into wood parts.
Cabinet, patent, or parts numbers.
A number found away from the cast-iron plate unless it can be confirmed as the piano’s serial number.
WHAT A HOWARD SERIAL NUMBER CAN TELL YOU
A Howard serial number can usually identify the piano’s approximate production year and whether it falls within a later Baldwin-era sequence.
It cannot reliably identify the exact production month or day, original dealer or owner, cabinet style, or later rebuilding and restoration work. For early Howard spinets and consoles, the upright size category may be needed when more than one serial chronology is possible.
HOWARD PIANO HISTORY
Howard began as an independent American piano name before becoming associated with Baldwin.
Earlier Howard instruments were produced during the Chicago era and may use different serial-number conventions.
Baldwin later used Howard as a secondary brand for both upright and grand pianos.
Many Baldwin-era Howard pianos share Baldwin production chronology, so the serial number reflects wider Baldwin production rather than Howard production alone.
Some later Howard instruments were produced through other manufacturing arrangements, making correct era identification important.
Reviewed by Joe Kemple, Master Piano Technician, Burd and Sons Piano Service · Updated September 2026
Our database includes Howard piano serial numbers across all major production eras, including both pre-Baldwin and Baldwin-era instruments.
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