Lead weight

[rohade]

Do almost every piano have lead weights?, I have an Erard, it has heavy action as it has none, zero leads but every other piano I see has them and of course, action is lighter.

I wonder if those pianos like Erard, Gaveau or Pleyel didn't have lead weights back then and is there is a modern piano that comes without them.

[justharmony]

I'm not a piano technician so I can't answer all your questions, but my understanding is that most modern pianos do have lead weights in them but not all - a response to the chain reaction of things that had to happen to the instrument in order to make a more high tension and powerful sounding/projecting piano.  Historic instruments were different, and didn't have lead weights.  Didn't need them.  Playing on such instruments is an entirely different (and wonderful) experience than playing a modern grand.
 
That's the simple answer, as far as I know.
JH