When were copies made of Antonius Stradivarius violins made in Germany?

Answer 1

I JUST READ THAT THEY WERE MADE BETWEEN 1921 AND WWII.

I had heard that for years. People would look at my violin because the color was really different and it was so loud and has such a good tone. When they would look inside the f hole they would say this is a German Strad Copy made in the 20s and sold by Sears. One day the back started to separate from the side. I sent it to a repairman who had also told me the same thing about it being a 1920s Sears Strad copy. He was excited to find it was signed on the inside top by a guy who made it in Germany in 1858. I later found out when Sears contracted with Germany back in the 20's. Instead of falling short on supplies, they were grabbing any violin of decent quality no matter the age or maker if they fit into the category Strad Copy they would slap the label inside that was block printed Stradivarius Copy of etc.. The only way to really know how old or where the strad copy was made is to accidentally find a pencil written signature and date inside the belly of the violin. Don't let someone just run up and tell you what you have by looking at the label inside.

I have a Strad Copy with "Berlin 6009" written inside. Next to it there is an old label that states it was repaired in 1886 by a man named George Harms of Evansville, IN.