G'day WesW,

The concertina (both good English ones and cheap German models) was available from 1840 odd - common after 1850 - including cheap German ones with brass reeds that didn't rust. The last year of the "Great Grain Race" (to be first sailng clipper back to Britain with South Australian Grain) was 1938/9. The great sailing ships were mostly laid up and didn't come back after WWII.

So how come sailors COULDN'T have had concertinas?

It may be true that more had the small accordions seen in late 19th c. advertisements, but all those old concertinas, commonly played out here in Australia, came out by sailing ship. Those I own, or have owned, have all dates from 1860 to 1880. Passenger ships were using steam or a mix of steam and sail ... but sail was still economical at 19th c. wages and worked commerciallfor another half century.

Regards,

Bob Bolton