F.R. Pfretzschner Viola Trade Bow Markneukirchen circa 1940

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Pfretzschner is one of the most prevalent names in German instrument and bow making. The Pfretzschner luthier family can be traced back to the early 1700’s in Markneukirchen, one of the important centers of German violin and bow making. Our German bow is a viola trade bow in nickel mounts. The name was placed on the bow to get you to think it originated from and was made by a Pfretzschner family member. Not so. It still is a decent trade bow with age and German craftmanship. There is no exact makers name known, just German marketing.

We meticulously went over the bow and replaced the nickel silver winding and leathers. The tip, frog, and end screws are original to the bow. The bow is in very good condition, with single mother-of-pearl eyes in the frog and has a three-piece endscrew. The stick is light in the hand, pernambuco specie, and round in section. This could be your viola stick if you’re looking for a decent wood bow for not a lot of money. I call this a very nice bread and butter bow. A good playing German stick with some age.

Weight fully haired 68.5 grams