That the original peg-box / volute appears to have been altered, or damaged and repaired is unfortunate, but I rather suspect a switch/swap long ago - by hands unknown.

Many fine old instruments, in places far and near, are coming out of hiding since WWII has become a distant memory to the decendants of that era.

Merry Christmas!

era

It is perfectly fine if you disagree, the violin is still a Guarneri del Gesu.

Some years ago a rather animated discussion  (in another thread) ended in the banishment of 2 highly knowledgeable connoisseurs, one from Russia, the other from the US.

The reason for banishment being: that at least one participant had information concerning the certain Andrea Gisalberti, and his pupil Joseph Antonio Guarneri which has never been "accepted" by main-stream dealers. However, more recent discoveries (through scholarly research - in Italy - in the church archives - in Cremona) have firmly established that Joseph Antonio Guarneri did exist, and moved to Cremona around the turn of the 18th century. This maker was the nephew of Andrea, not his grandson, Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri, whose instruments are very similar to del Gesu's; because - using all reason of mind - he was trained by Guarneri del Gesu.

Most recently: J&A Beare (aka Charles) 'certified' a very fine Andrea Gisalberti. Hopefully this will bring future opportunity to those who own instruments which either have not been recognized due to dealer incompetence, or outright debunked perchance they no longer bear their original tickets.

I have, in essence, taken up the effort because it is evident to me that a great injustice has been perpetrated and the time has come for correction. I speak with authority as a life-long (50+ years) connoisseur of Joseph Guarneri del Gesu , having in my physical possession more than one example by his own hand, all but one bearing the undisturbed original black letter tickets.

I am also intimately acquainted with what may well be the finest toned specimen extant. (It has been played by highly skilled professionals -concert master and his assistant  - against their "highly regarded" loaner Stradivaris - and (the Guarnerius) literally blew the varnish off both of them!)

The violin bears the inscription "I N R I" to the underside of the belly, just below the rounded platform which rests upon the head block. (Anyone who has ever seen the inside of a true Guarneri del Gesu will instantly recognize this feature, if ever they see it again.)

Make no mistake: I know the man's work quite well, probably better than anyone living today. It is my labor of love, nothing more or less. 

Cheers!

era