RESTORED ANTIQUE STRADIVARIUS COPY FRENCH MADE 3/4 VIOLIN WITH CASE, SHOULDER REST & BOW, CIRCA 1920
You are invited to purchase an antique handcrafted French made 3/4 size violin labeled "Mode'le d'apres (or in the style of) Antonius Stradivarius." This antique violin has been repaired, restored, and updated with reconditioned original accessories and modern steel core strings and is fully restored to playability. Included with the violin is a very nice modern padded cloth carrying case, a bow, bow rosin, and a new shoulder rest.
We have completed a series of relatively difficult repairs and restorative actions associated with this violin including the reattachment of the ribs that had separated from the right side of the violin body, installation of new and detached rib linings and replacement of a missing lower block on the right side of the violin (See details below). We also removed some ugly accumulated varnish residue on the inside of the top plate and reprofiled the glued-in bass bar. In addition, the violin has been upgraded and modernized with a refurbished Ebony chin rest, a new Ebony tailpiece with built-in fine tuners, modern steel core strings and refurbished wood pegs making it ready to be played and enjoyed by its new owner.
VIOLIN MAKER'S LABELS & REPAIR LABEL:
This violin bears the following printed labels found under the left f-hole (see image):
A large printed label marked "FRANCE"
Under this label is another printed label that reads as follows:
"Mode'le d'apres
Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis
Faciebat Anno 1771"
Note: This label also includes a symbol marked with the letters A and S with a double cross in between the letters and enclosed within a circle.
In addition, this violin bears a repair label from our workshop found inside the violin also under the left f-hole (See image):
"THE OLDE VIOLIN SHOPPE
HAMILTON, MONTANA USA
REPAIRED/RESTORED VIOLIN ANNO 2025"
VIOLIN ORIGIN & ESTIMATED DATE OF MANUFACTURE:
Based on the information on the printed labels, it appears that this violin was made in Mirecourt, France most likely by the firm of Laberte-Humbert Freres. In view of the fact that the violin is labeled "Modele d'apres" rather than "copie de," appears to reinforce that fact, as Laberte-Humbert invariably used the former phrase on its violin labels. It was likely made sometime between the years 1900 and 1920. Thus, we have listed the estimated date of manufacture as "Circa - 1920."
Note: Vintage and antique violins from Mirecourt are considered some of the best instruments on the used market today and represent a great value proposition for violinists seeking outstanding tone, playability and workmanship.
KEY PHYSICAL FEATURES:
* A warm, very attractive reddish-brown spirit varnish.
* Two piece close-grained Spruce top.
* Top plate has a moderate arch.
* Attractive one-piece flamed Maple back.
* Violin ribs consist of flamed Maple to match the back.
* All four corners inside the violin are blocked (see images) and a glued-in bass bar is well formed and properly placed. These are indications of a well made violin.
MEASUREMENTS:
* Length Overall (Loa): 21 1/2"
* Length of the body (LoB): 13"
* Rib Height: 1 1/8"
* Max Width of Upper Bout: 6 1/8"
* Avg. Width at Waist or C-Bout: 4 1/4"
* Max. Width of Lower Bout: 7 5/8"
CONDITION OF THE VIOLIN UPON RECEIPT:
This antique violin was received by us in relatively poor physical condition and fair cosmetic condition (see images of violin prior to restoration). The ribs on the right side of the violin had broken loose from the violin body, the upper right corner block was detached from the ribs and violin body, the lower right corner block was missing and several of the internal rib linings on the right side of the violin were either missing or detached. There were gouges in the top plate that needed filling and missing from the violin were the original strings.
DETAILED RESTORATIVE ACTIONS:
Following is a summary of the actions taken by us to repair and restore this violin to full playability:
1. We removed the top plate from the violin and found that there was a large accumulation of old varnish residue in and around the f-holes. We also found that the original bass bar was glued-in and properly placed, but it was in need of re-profiling. We removed the excess varnish residue and re-profiled the bass bar (See images of the top plate before and after restoration).
2. We re-glued the detached ribs to the bottom plate and replaced all detached rib linings and added any missing linings. We also reinstalled/re-glued the upper corner block in place and installed a new lower corner block. After the aforementioned interior repairs were completed, we re-glued the top plate to the violin using Hide Glue. Prior to closing the violin, we added the repair label from our violin shop.
3. Areas in the top plate that showed some shallow gouging were filled with wood putty. We then wet sanded all exterior surfaces of the violin with 600 grit sandpaper and wiped the residue clean with a water soaked rag. After the violin surfaces dried, we touched up the surfaces with a reddish-brown stain followed by 2 coats of a Reddish-brown Spirit Varnish. Surfaces were dry sanded with 1000 git sandpaper between varnish coats. The final action was to give the violin a coating of French polish. As a result, the true physical beauty of this violin was revealed (See images of the restored violin).
4. The original fingerboard was scraped and sanded to achieve its proper profile and smoothness. At this time the existing Ebony nut was properly trimmed in size and height. Grooves for the strings were reset in concert with standard design specifications.
5. The original Ebony chinrest was reconditioned and added to the violin along with a new Ebony tailpiece with built-in fine tuners.
6. The pegbox was fitted with the original reconditioned wood pegs that came with the violin and the original Spruce sound post was installed inside the violin.
7. Finally, we completed the setup of the violin by properly fitting the original Bausch Maple bridge and installing a new set of D'Addario Prelude Solid Steel Core Medium Tension Strings.
All of the aforementioned repairs have resulted in a completely restored and upgraded antique violin that has significantly improved its physical appearance along with the overall tonal response and sound quality of this instrument. This instrument has a very warm tone with excellent sound projection. Thus, this antique instrument that could have easily been lost to time has been fully repaired, improved and reborn to live a second life in the present.
VIOLIN CASE, BOW & OTHER ACCESSORIES:
Included with the violin is a very nice modern internally padded soft carrying case. The case has twin zippers, carrying handle, a pocket for sheet music on the top and adjustable straps on the back should one wish to carry the violin over one's shoulder. The case is new (See accompanying images of the case).
In addition to the case, a good used generic bow is included with the violin. Other included accessories include some bow rosin and a new Everest model ECS-4 adjustable shoulder rest for a complete ready-to-play violin package.
IMAGES: The accompanying images are to be considered a part of a statement of condition of this instrument. Please click on the images for a larger view.
PURCHASE:
The Montana Logger is very pleased to offer this professionally repaired, upgraded and completely restored antique 3/4 French Strad violin with case, bow and accessories for a very reasonable buy-it-now price. We will also entertain reasonable offers for this refurbished and modernized antique violin that dates from circa-1920.
PAYMENT: Payment is due within 3 days of purchase. Prompt payment is always very much appreciated.
