Violin Forum/Message Board

okawbow · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject: H.R. PFRETZSCHNER bow?

Can anyone tell by the pictures if this bow is genuine? It has been in a violin case under a bed for at least 25 years. It seems to be a fine quality pernambuco bow, and the wood is in excellent condition.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/4736107282
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/4736107862/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20524843@N03/4735471105/in/photostream/

Mat Roop · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:48 am Post subject:

I am not even close to an ID expert but here is some pics of Pfretzschner bows... Kinda poor pics ... but better than none!
Looks like the fittings are silver and workmanship is superb... could be the real thing!
http://www.rezx.biz/photos/Pfretzschner_HR.jpg

Nice bow and find!
Cheers, Mat

Mat Roop · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:06 pm Post subject:

Have you seen this site... http://www.hrpfretzschner.de/boegen_engl.html
you can asl them directly.
Cheers, Mat

okawbow · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:54 pm Post subject: Thanks for the info

Matt,
Yes, the bow is very fine workmanship. The fittings are tarnished, but are silver. The stick looks perfect to me, after I cleaned some rosin off. I'll write the makers and see if they can ID and possibly restore the bow to like new.

I'm thinking it is probably genuine. It has been in a violin case for at least 20-25 years, and possibly many more. I doubt that there were many fakes that long ago. The violin it was with is marked Mathias Johannes Koldjz 1743. It also might be genuine, except it's in rough shape. The neck and button have been replaced long ago, and someone repaired several cracks in the top, and then varnished over them. It has a one piece back, but the wood is rather plain. Lots of honest looking wear on the violin.

Mat Roop · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject:

My hunch is the bow is for real.
On the violin, top cracks don't usually affect market value much because they are easily repaired and common, unless the cracks are at the soundpost or bassbar. The button replacement is another story...
Cheers & good luck with getting it all up and running!
Mat

Jack H. · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 5:45 pm Post subject:

Looks pretty good to me, the tip looks well made but kind of thick. the brand on the frog looks good and as mentioned the fittings are silver. I can restore it for you if you would like.

J. Havivi
Havivi Violins
Israel

okawbow · Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: restoration

Thanks for the offer Jack. The head bowmaker at Pfretzschner said the bow looked genuine to him. He thought it was made between 1919 and 1939. His company will restore and certify the bow for a reasonable cost. It should certainly be worth doing, as the value should be close to a new bow after restoration. The stick is perfect and has a great "feel".