Iorio help?

[Hugh64]

I just recently acquired this Iorio accordion and am trying to find out info on it. I have looked all over the web for a similar model but haven’t as of yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I am attaching photos of it for your inspection.

 

[JIM D.]

You have a mid 40's Iorio 4/5 reed Pro model made in the Carl Fischer building in New York, NY USA. These Iorios were
of fine quality for thier era. Some mid 30's to 50's Iorio models were made with tone chambers, with no inside photos I
can't tell if is so equipped. All NY made Iorios had in house made hand fitted reeds and were made with imported 15 to
20 year old aged woods. Because of the high quality build of these accordion models they are fine candidates for
rebuildind or refurbishing.

 

[Hugh64]

You have a mid 40's Iorio 4/5 reed Pro model made in the Carl Fischer building in New York, NY USA. These Iorios were
of fine quality for thier era. Some mid 30's to 50's Iorio models were made with tone chambers, with no inside photos I
can't tell if is so equipped. All NY made Iorios had in house made hand fitted reeds and were made with imported 15 to
20 year old aged woods. Because of the high quality build of these accordion models they are fine candidates for
rebuildind or refurbishing.

Thank you Jim. I will try and open it up shortly and take photos of the inside. Just curious about it being made in New York. Mine is stamped made in Italy with what looks like maybe a serial number or possibly a model hand scribed as 6594. Thanks again and what area of the inside should I send photos of? Unfortunately I am not an accordionist, but enjoy the music they make.

 

[JIM D.]

In the 50's all production was in Italy. Before the complete transision to Italy some models were partialy made in Italy and completed
in the US. In the late 40's firms such as Excelsior, PANcordion, Iorio & Bell used this practice before their total production was swiched to
Italy in the 50's. These transitional models can be found with the markings --Made In Italy or Made In USA. - Some Excelsior accordions
from this era were actualy marked - Made in Italy - Assembled in USA.

All the US accordion firms from San Francisco, Chicago & New York,NY by the 50's had switched thier total production to Italy for economic
reasons and the fine quality of craftsmanship offered by Italian firms.

In the 50's even the German firm Hohner had because of superior Italian craftsmanship had models of their Morino accordions made
by Excelsior of Italy. Not widely known as Hohner in a marketing ploy labled them as "Made In Germany".

 

[Hugh64]

Here are some pictures of the inside. What does a tone chamber look like? Does mine have one? Any idea of what this particular accordion may be worth? Looks very sharp and clean inside. All the buttons function well and all the felts looks very good, especially for being from the 40’s. Thanks again for your wealth of knowledge!

 

[Scuromondo]

I don’t see any indication of a tone chamber.

I’m not terribly experienced in various accordion assemblies, but I have never before seen reeds mounted in this position (as highlighted).

 

[JIM D.]

These are just spacers to reinforce the absence of reeds in this reed block.

And Hugh; This one is a perfect candidate to refurbish. It has extremely low mileage for its age and a quality build.
They were built like tanks and favored by working accordionist's.
A good find !!!

 

[Hugh64]

Thanks! I have been buying accordions for a while ever since I got one from my grandfather about 25 years ago. I have repaired some with my limited mechanical abilities. To me they are like 2 harmonicas with a bellows to provide the air source. I have even owned a Chemnitzer that was very beautiful and ornate. I have no musical abilities unfortunately. It has been a musical instrument that has resurged into popular music again. Thanks again for all the info!

 

[JIM D.]

Hugh;
With your obvious interest in musical instruments - Well I really think you might giving your self a try in playing one.