Vintage Wheatstone 48 Button English Concertina | Victorian Era

Vintage Wheatstone 48 Button English Concertina

This vintage Wheatstone English concertina is a fine Victorian-era example, offering both practical playability and historical interest for improving players and collectors.

Wheatstone concertinas are among the most respected names in concertina history, and this instrument carries the serial number 23404. This falls within a period where we understand detailed factory records do not survive, so an exact production date cannot be confirmed. However, it is very likely to date from the Victorian period, when the Wheatstone company were associated with their Conduit Street, Regent Street address in London.

This is a 48 metal button English concertina with metal ends, 5-fold bellows and the traditional lever-style air button. It is an appealing instrument for an improving player looking for a better vintage concertina, while also being of interest to collectors seeking a genuine Wheatstone example from the Victorian era.

Restored and Tuned to Modern Pitch

We have carried out restoration work to make this concertina more usable for today’s player. This has included fitting new thumb straps, replacing valves, checking the pads, replacing two damaged reeds, fitting a replacement button, cleaning the instrument as part of a full valet, and tuning it from old pitch to A440 modern concert pitch.

The result is a vintage Wheatstone concertina that retains its historic character while being more practical for modern musical use, especially for players who need to play with other instruments tuned to standard pitch.

48 Button English Concertina

As an English concertina, this instrument plays the same note on push and pull, unlike an Anglo concertina, which plays different notes depending on bellows direction. English concertinas are well suited to melody playing, song accompaniment and a wide range of traditional and classical repertoire.

The 48 button layout gives a useful musical range, making this a good stepping stone for an improving player who wants to move beyond a basic starter instrument and into a more serious vintage concertina.

Condition and Case

This Wheatstone concertina is in good vintage order. As with any instrument of this age, it should be understood as a historic concertina rather than a brand-new instrument, but it has been cleaned, repaired, serviced and tuned so that it can be enjoyed and played.

It is supplied in a genuine Wheatstone leather case. We suspect the case is not original to this particular concertina, but it is an appropriate genuine Wheatstone case and adds to the overall appeal of the instrument.

Who Is This Concertina Suitable For?

This concertina would suit an improving player looking for a characterful English concertina with a respected maker’s name, rather than a modern entry-level instrument. It may also appeal to collectors looking for Victorian-era Wheatstone examples, especially those interested in instruments connected with the classic period of English concertina making.

Because it has been tuned to A440 modern pitch, it is better suited to practical musical use than many older concertinas that remain at old pitch.

Key Features

• Vintage Wheatstone English concertina
• Serial number: 23404
• Believed to date from the Victorian era
• Likely associated with Wheatstone’s Conduit Street, Regent Street period
• 48 metal buttons
• Metal ends
• 5-fold bellows
• Lever-style air button
• New thumb straps fitted
• Replacement button fitted
• Valves replaced
• Pads checked
• Two damaged reeds replaced
• Cleaned and given a full valet as part of the restoration process
• Tuned from old pitch to A440 modern pitch
• Supplied with genuine Wheatstone leather case
• Suitable for improving players and collectors

Buying Advice

Vintage concertinas vary considerably in condition, tuning, reed response and playability. If you are unsure whether this Wheatstone English concertina is the right choice for you, please contact Squeezebox Marketplace before ordering and we will be happy to advise.

You can also browse our full Concertinas for Sale UK collection or view our Concertina Gig Bags for suitable protection.