LPowners.org Dating La Pavoni levers

by Steven Ornish & Bruce Colglazier Pappas

Opening your base

  • You’ll need a T20 security torx (one with a hole in the middle) to remove the special screw LP used, unless your screw was replaced with a common Phillips M4 or something similar. Under the base is a stamped date of production (usually). If the stamp is gone, look at the date on the heating element.

Year & model of your machine matter

  • Request from Lee Drake: Please repeat after me: when asking a question about my machine, I will ALWAYS indicate the year and model of my La Pavoni to get the best answer.

  • Response from Bruce Colglazier Pappas: It's important to know and identify your machine when seeking help with our machines. Over the years, there are many production and design changes to our machines. Knowing what's going on inside of your machine gives you more confidence when you change one of the factors in making espresso.

    1. There are four distinct generations of LP manual lever machines, defined by the grouphead. The first three (Gen1, Gen2, & Gen3) behave quite differently; Gen4 behaves much like Gen3. User routines can vary greatly by generation.

    2. The other big difference is how the boiler water is controlled: dual element (and two-way switch) versus single element/pressurestat. Midway through Gen2, a pressurestat was added, eliminating the need for dual elements. Again, user routines can vary greatly by configuration.

    3. There are also two boiler sizes: the smaller Europiccola and the larger Professional. Boiler size has less an impact on user routines, but it can make a difference if you want to pull back-to-back shots or how you steam milk.

    I own a 2005 Pro - heavily modified (and a few other machines).

Resources to “date” your machine

Here are a few sources useful to “date” your machine, if you need or want to do it yourself. Here is a compilation, started by Steve in October 2017, entitled “how to ‘date’ your machine (not to be confused with marrying one)” - per Steve’s humor.

Francesco Ceccarelli - the “bible” for dating La Pavoni lever machines
Bruce Colglazier Pappas - a thorough list of production timelines to help identify parts
Gen1 (vintage) La Pavoni Machine Serial Numbers
  • 1968: A3801 to A6300
  • 1969: A6301 to A8800
  • 1970: A8801 to B1800
  • 1971: B1801 to B4800
  • 1972: B4801 to B8800
Dan at VoltAge 110
Robert R. Pavlis - a short Home Barista post
Espresso Parts - a short history
La Pavoni - and of course, La Pavoni World, full of pictures and history

All information appearing on this site is in the public domain, contributed by individuals, or cited with permission.

All LP owners are welcome to submit and answer questions. Contact admin@LPowners.org by email, if you would like to be a contributor.

Created 10-OCT-2023 | updated 31-Jan-2023 | BCP