New Bechstein with worn hammers?

[flutistmarriedtopianist]

Hi. My husband and I are piano shopping and could really use some help. We are very interested in a Bechstein Academy series upright. However, the dealer says it is a new piano, but the hammers have obvious wear. What's interesting about this wear is that it is even across the entire range of the instrument, not something that occurs from normal play.
I know that Steinway used to have some kind of automated way of "pre-playing" their pianos so that they were nice and open before they hit the showroom floor. As far as I know, Steinway hasn't done this in years, and I don't know why Bechstein would do this on their Academy series. It seems like a bit of a mystery. Has anyone heard of Bechstein preparing their pianos in this way, or does anyone have any ideas about why a used piano would have entirely even hammer wear?

Also, our dealer is reputable, and we have no reason to believe they would knowingly sell us a used piano as new. 
Thanks so much for your help!

[richard black]

They might simply have pre-ridged the hammers, which is an easy process. I'm not aware or it being done but can see how and why it might be. Have you asked the dealer about it?

[silverwoodpianos]

For this type of inquiry photos of the hammer set would be beneficial. Then we could see what you are trying to describe.

[flutistmarriedtopianist]

Thanks richard black. I've never heard of pre-ridging hammers either. We're bringing it up with the dealer tomorrow. I wanted to see what I could find about it first, and when I couldn't find anything on Bechstein's website or Google, I thought I'd try here.
 
Silverwoodpianos - If the dealer can't help us tomorrow I'll get a photo and post it. The wear is very much what you'd expect from a piano that has been played somewhat regularly for at least a few months except that this wear is consistent throughout the range of the instrument instead of focused in the mid-range which is most played. There are obvious indentations in the hammers where they strike the strings.

Thanks!

[mudbucket]

Hey, you would've noticed I'm also interested in a Bechstein upright. Are you looking at the same model, the A1? Do you mind telling me how much your dealer is charging you?

The price I mentioned is in AUD.