Re: Vintage Violin: Any Experts Please Help ID
From what I can see based on just the photos I believe it is an early 20th century German trade fiddle. And not a terribly high grade one. The back is devoid of figure, and that usually means student grade. Also the "antiquing" in the finish is crudely done and symmetrical. A high quality finish would be assume tribal mimicking genuine wear spots and more subtle. The case, the chin rest, everything looks like German trade from the era. They were cranked out in great quantities back then.
The tailpiece is too far forward. The tip of the tailpiece should rest overlapping the ebony saddle. Also it looks like real gut anchoring it, which could break without warning. I recommend replacing that with a Sacconi type synthetic tailpiece anchor.
You don't need fine tuners if you are using synthetic strings. Except on the E string which is steel on all sets. Most synthetic strings ( Perlon) are too thick and stretchy for fine tuners. Fine tuners on all strings if you are doing an all steel set however.
It would be very enlightening to examine the interior of the instrument which is best done with the instrument disassembled, and with a bend a light and a dental mirror. Some German instruments from that era have Spanish necks, with the neck block carved integral with the neck, and the ribs inset into slots in the sides of the neck "block". They may also have an integral bass bar carved into the top wood instead of carved separately and glued in. The corner "blocks" may also be faux or nonexistent. These were all time and cost saving measures. That being said, there are also properly made instruments from the same era. They are variable. I have seen simple ones like yours made correctly and highly flamed examples with the short cuts. If you observe any of the above shortcuts that nails it as a German trade fiddle, as there wasn't any one else using those building techniques.
Hope this helps. I could be wrong. I'm no expert but I have seen a lot of fiddles.
Don
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