Vinyl pressings
by Krokus · 1981
Hardware was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 16 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
203322 A2 TOWNHOUSE LONDON SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout side A
203322 B TOWNHOUSE SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]Runout side B
S 203 322 ALabel side A
S 203 322 BLabel side B
ARL 5064 A-1 TOWNHOUSE 0Variant 1, Side A
ARL 5064 B-1 1 L TOWNHOUSEVariant 1, Side B
ARL 5064 A-1 TOWNHOUSE RVariant 2, Side A, etched, TOWNHOUSE stamped
ARL 5064 B-1 1 M TOWNHOUSEVariant 2, Side B, etched, TOWNHOUSE stamped
ARL 5064 A-1 TOWNHOUSE FSide 1
ARL 5064 B-1 1 TOWNHOUSE ESide 2
ARL 5064 A-1 TOWNHOUSE BSide A runout
ARL 5064 B-1 1 A TOWNHOUSESide B runout
T1 OL 1508 SA CT2 STERLINGRunout Side 1 etched (except STERLING which is stamped)
T1 OL 1508 SB CT1 STERLINGRunout Side 2 etched (except STERLING which is stamped)
OL 1508 SA CS2 STERLINGSide 1 Runout (Variant 1)
OL 1508 SB CS1 STERLINGSide 2 Runout (Variant 1)
S1 OL 1508 SA CS1 A3 STERLINGSide 1 Runout, Etched (STERLING stamped) (Variant 2)
S1 OL 1508 SB CS2 A1 STERLINGSide 2 Runout, Etched (STERLING stamped) (Variant 2)
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Switzerland | Ariola 203 322LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Australia | Ariola VLP1 6556 / Ariola VLP1-6556First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | Ariola 203 322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Ariola Records America OL 1508First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista AL 9556First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista AMP-1-7313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Arista AMP-1-7313LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Europe | Ariola 203 322 / Ariola 203 322-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Ariola 203 322LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 203 322First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 203 322-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Arabella 203 322-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Ariola 203 322 / Ariola 203 322-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Ariola 6483 291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Ariola 6483 291LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV314LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2012 | UK | Back On Black BOBV314LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2019 | Europe | Sony Music 19075942231-2LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3913LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Arista ALB6-8316LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Ariola 203322LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Arista AL 9556LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Arista AL5-8147LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
45 vinyl pressings of Hardware are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Switzerland, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Ariola 203 322-320.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 203 322-320, ARL 5064, OL 1508, OL-1508) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 203322 A2 TOWNHOUSE LONDON SWISS MADE [crossbow logo] and 203322 B TOWNHOUSE SWISS MADE [crossbow logo]. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
