| Winkler Bow Mystery
Despite FEDEX's best attempt to loss it, (from IL to CA via NY)
I finally got my hands on this bow. A diamond in the rough to
be sure, but I was up for an adventure...
The stick was 3/4 covered with what appeared to be brown
paint, but near the frog it showed deep red tone of very old
pernambucco. The stick is clearly very old with many dings,
a slight crack out of the mortice in the frog, wear scalloping
near the stick mortice, cracked bone at the tip, and a small
chunk missing from the side of the stick right in the middle.
The size is as if it touched a 1/4" drill bit gouging a half
round slot into the side. The leather was the so ratty I pulled
it right off. The nickel tarnished, replaced adjuster(?) etc.
I gave up on using mild rosin remover and ended up using
rubbing alchohol to get the rosin off the stick, and then gave
it a french polish. Under it is a really nice stick that is very
light and elegant. Tons of work to make it right, but in the
current sad state it is still my best playing bow.
The first name on the stamp is rather worn and difficult to
read, and may not be "Richard". Franz Heinrich Winkler was
a Markneukirchen bow maker in the 1800's and Franz was
his son. It may be Heinrich, but could almost be Edward?
the way I read it... Also there is a star after the name.
I believe this is a quality mark of some kind?
It is very light with amazing balance, draws a bright sound
very easily, and has a very very natural feel in the hand as
you pick it up.
I may take Sam S's advice and go meet the Egan's as they
are local to me and cetainly could do the work. Learning
advanced repairs on an 19th century bow would be stupid,
but reading H. Wake's Bow Rehair and Repair book seems to
allow me to ask better questions of a repairman.
__________________
Maaaven - My brain resonates at Bb
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