If you can post pictures, it might give some more clues. I don’t think I’ve seen a violin by that maker. There was a Karl Grimm who played and made violins in Germany in the mid-19th century. There was also an Adam Friedrich Grimm of Klingenthal who made violins in the late 18th century. It’s possible J.M. Grimm was a descendant of either (or both) of these makers.

Here are three photos let me know if you’d like to see something more specific.

Mike G - I'm in Sullivan county. I don't really have any suggestions right now, but do you think this instrument was made locally?

Hey Doug,
I’m not sure. I do hope so, that would give it some excellent history given where we live!
I did get it from a fella in Bristol who has had it for some time. Other than that, where it came from is unknown. I wish “JM” had written where he was from on that label.
Regardless, it’s a nice fiddle and will have me scratching out tunes from our area for a long time.

If you could get closer shots of the top and back and a side view of the scroll it would help.

From what I can see, it looks possible that it was an American maker. The scroll looks like it could be a commercial one. A lot of American makers bought parts in the white and then assembled them, varnished them, and labeled them as their own work. There are a few elements that look possibly German, so it’s hard to be certain. I wonder if the varnish is original to it.

I dont think you'd have any way of knowing if it was locally made unless you could find some information about the maker. Instruments traveled widely even back then. One of my family's violins from that time period was in Washington state for decades (the original owner bought it in PA and then the family moved across the country shortly thereafter).

Here are photos of the scroll. The fiddle appears to have been refinished. If not, it’s been in a case for a hundred years. The varnish appears to be oil based and was applied with some degree of skill.
Thanks for your input.

Mike G - The Bristol Public Library has a collection of city directories which are available online, so just for fun I checked and there was no one by that name in the 1927 edition. Rich is right that instruments have always moved around, but something about the back reminds me of other instruments I've seen from this area, but I'm not even sure why. I used to know some of the old timers around here, but they're all gone now, so I don't know who to ask. Are you still in touch with the fella you got it from - did he remember where he got it?
In any case, I hope you enjoy it for a long time.

PS - Just as an example of instruments moving around - Rich mentioned Karl Grimm. I happen to have a bow stamped "Grimm Berlin" which I bought some years ago at the flea market in Abingdon. Its a pretty nice bow.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike G

Here are photos of the scroll. The fiddle appears to have been refinished. If not, it’s been in a case for a hundred years. The varnish appears to be oil based and was applied with some degree of skill.
Thanks for your input.

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I thought it might have been revarnished. The top has some spots that suggest it was stripped.

Hey Doug,
I just shot him a message to see if he knows who owned it prior to his buying it, I’ll let you know.
They certainly do move around. I have an 1888 Waldron that was given to me by a friend up north whose great granddaddy made it. Turns out he lived about an hour from where I grew up…a hundred years later!
I appreciate you checking the directory, wouldn’t have thought of that. And, thanks for posting, it inspired me to pull out some of your albums and had a pleasant morning listening to tunes I grew up on.

PS he responded while I was typing and did not know the fellas name, only that the previous owner had had it a very long time and that when he bought it he had it professionally refinished.