Concertina

English-system concertina. Flat rosewood ends, 5.75in/146mm across parallel sides; thick simple fretwork, flush to action, with pine backing. The end plate is flush to the action frame, and inset into it on an inner cradle. Ends are of 'action flush to bellows frames' format, but the end plates are fitted flush to the action frame. 32 ivory buttons, 16 each side: red Cs, stamped white naturals, black accidentals. Square-ended reed beds with nickel reed tongues stamped with note-names, but with only pencilled note-names on the pan. A one-piece chamois gasket covers the reed pan dividers, which have no cross pieces, and the pan itself has no central hole. The action has complex solid brass levers and solid turned brass pallets, with blued-steel leaf springs mounted onto the levers, screwed pivots, and with the ivory keys mounted in slots on the ends of the levers. Four-fold leather bellows, with faintly embossed papers having a gold pattern seen only on this instrument. The bellows frame has an inner shelf which supports the reed pan. Remnants of right strap, probably original left-hand green leather strap, with nickel strap screws. The finger rests are absent, but markings and screw positions show that they were of straight form. Dealer's label on the underside of the left-hand action board: H Journet, 3 Grand Parade, Croydon; Oval paper label glued to pine backing: By His Majesty’s Letters Patent/C. Wheatstone/Inventor/20 Conduit St., Regent St./London; Serial number stamped on pine board between left-hand frets: 254