Newest addition to my family... Saxon?

[ClefLover]

39 minutes ago, Delabo said:

The pins appear to be ebony,or perhaps stained wood of some description,and can sometimes be seen on French violins. On a violin made using the "build on the back" (BOB) method of construction they serve no useful function. Stradivarius made his violins on an inside mold, and used "positioning pins" as part of the construction process. But in contrast to these pins, which are black, and of a large diameter, and stand out, his pins were white and partially hidden under the purfling. So to sum up,these pins were put in to make the violin look better than it actually is - a decorative feature.

Yes, this makes perfect sense.  I agree; however, could it also be an amateur builders idea to reinforce the back to the blocks, or even a reason that the back would have been removed and reapplied? 

[martin swan]

49 minutes ago, ClefLover said:

Yes, this makes perfect sense.  I agree; however, could it also be an amateur builders idea to reinforce the back to the blocks, or even a reason that the back would have been removed and reapplied? 

none of these need pins ... as I said at the top of the thread, this is done to give the illusion that a violin is built on an inside mold.

Stradivari wasn't the first or last maker to use an inside mold, and you see plenty of different styles of genuine pins in the back, including ebony. But they tend to be very close to the purfling or partly under it, and no bigger than necessary ...

[ClefLover]

55 minutes ago, martin swan said:

none of these need pins ... as I said at the top of the thread, this is done to give the illusion that a violin is built on an inside mold.

Stradivari wasn't the first or last maker to use an inside mold, and you see plenty of different styles of genuine pins in the back, including ebony. But they tend to be very close to the purfling or partly under it, and no bigger than necessary ...

Okay, perfect.  So shall we call it a nameless “mutt?” That would be suiting given how I acquired it.  I may name him “Bob,” or “Sir Duke,” which is my favorite Stevie Wonder song.

[ClefLover]

Thanks to the expert dendro services provided by P Ratcliff, I have more to report.  Alpine Spruce, approx 1780 for the latest ring.  Possibly used in France after 1830, England from 1750-1830, as well as in Mittenwald/Bavaria.