Hello
about 3 years ago I got a violin for £30 at sidmouth folk festival, it cam out of a box of broken old fiddles without any bridge, strings, pegs or sound post. so I have done it up and it works fine:)
what I would really like to know is where the instrument came from, are there any ways to tell what sort of time a violin was made and from which country it comes from?

all I can tell at the moment from my knowledge of violins is: it has a two piece back, as far as violins go it is a rather dark red varnish, the label inside is a copy of the Stradivari label dated 1700 (the year is written by hand); although I do not think this is a real Stradivari or that its 300 years old, and it has a rather unusual but not unpleasant smell

I could get in touch with the person I bought it from but I doubt he will remember it.
I'm just wondering what I can find out about it so if you can help, please do!

thanks.

From your description, it sounds almost exactly like mine, although it has a different year written in it.

Could you post a photo?

yes from what I can see of your photo they do look similar, I think mine is mayby a different wood or a different sort of varnish.

I can't get a photo up at the moment but I will try... it may take a while.

I think the Luthier said mine was probably German, but I'm not 100% sure of that (at some point french was mentioned too, but I think that was from the person who didn't know what they were talking about.)

Take it in to the local violin shop.
They do give free apraisals, will give you an idea at least.
They only charge for the written valuations