I have a violin with the following label inside: Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer, fecit at forman Hieronymi Amati, Pestini 1800. The violin is in good condition with a few scratches. It also has a 2 - piece back (if this helps). I was doing some research on Schwietzer violins and was surprised to see them for sale for a good amount of money, does anyone have any information about what mine could be worth, if anything? I don`t know much about antique violins so any input is much appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

-Andrew

http://www.pamelasmusic.co.uk/images/Forsale/bowed/violin/V269.htm

Unfortunately every good maker has copies and forgeries floating about.

Yours may be an original or a copy, we just can`t tell. Being a copy doen`t make it a bad instrument, just not worth as much.

You could take it to an expert appraiser if you need to know its value. Just don`t sell it on eBay for $50 without checking.