Use a firm metric ruler. Measure in a straight line from the top edge beside the neck to the lowest edge of the back. Do not include the button and do not follow the arching.
mm
This single value supplies the scale. The app derives the other body dimensions from the accepted square-on photograph.
Independent image-first assessment
Appraisal result
—/100 capture quality
Capture quality
Required views
Image alignment
Image clarity
Automatic body measurements
Scale reference
Bout measurements are image-derived estimates. The back length is the only manual measurement. Measurements are withheld when the outline or camera pose is unreliable.
Independent visual observations
Body outline and proportionsSuitable for established outline comparison. The three-instrument validation achieved a 3.348× repeat/different separation margin.
Corners, edgework and purflingCoarse geometry may support a conclusion; fine corner morphology is withheld because repeatability failed.
F-holesPosition, inclination, stems, eyes and wings are recorded for review. This channel is not yet allowed to determine attribution.
Scroll and pegboxFront and side morphology recorded. Comparison status: research channel.
Arching, wood and varnishVisible profile, colour, transparency, flame, wear and apparent antiquing can be described; varnish chemistry cannot be established from photographs.
MeasuredProvisionalWeak evidence withheld
Scottish comparative register
The figure below is the mean absolute percentage difference across the four published body measurements. Lower means geometrically closer. It is not a probability, confidence score or attribution.
Rank
Reference
Back
Upper
C
Lower
Mean difference
Comparison will appear after measurements are available.
Bias guard: attribution remains withheldThis reference set was deliberately assembled around a Scottish hypothesis. Until comparable English, French and German controls are added, a close Scottish match cannot establish Scottish origin or identify a maker.
David Rattray, “David Stirrat,” The Strad, December 2019, pp. 63–65.
David Rattray, “Thomas Hardie,” The Strad, vol. 128 no. 1523, March 2017, pp. 57–59.
David Rattray, “Matthew Hardie,” The Strad, vol. 129 no. 1537, May 2018, pp. 61–63.
David Rattray, “Alexander Smillie,” The Strad, March 2025, pp. 63–65.
William Henley, Universal Dictionary of Violin & Bow Makers, first edition, 1959, p. 227.
Brian W. Harvey, The Violin Family and its Makers in the British Isles, Oxford University Press, 1995, pp. 172–181. Context and authenticated Scottish plates only.
Bonhams London, Lot 68, 7 August 2013: catalogued James M’Intosh, no. 174, 1859; 360 mm back. Incomplete dimensions, so excluded from four-measure ranking.
Instrument record
McIntosh reference violinOwner-confirmed working identity. The maker attribution itself remains subject to specialist verification.
350 mmConfirmed back length
Smaller full sizeOwner description
Historical development entry: Violin 2 — McIntosh, formerly recorded as 345 mm. The present owner-rechecked 350 mm measurement supersedes it. Violin 4 is a separate unidentified instrument.
Blind classification status
WithheldCountry or school
WithheldApproximate date
UndeterminedIndividual / workshop / trade
Not calculatedCalibrated confidence
Candidate maker or workshop shortlistNot issued: authenticated English and Scottish photographic reference coverage is not yet sufficient.
Supporting featuresMeasured 350 / 165.2 / 110.7 / 202.4 mm geometry is ready for comparison. Owner-recorded flat arching and carefully inlaid purfling are more compatible with Henley’s later, post-1869 description than with his early high-arched Stainer model.
Conflicting featuresThe one-piece back is mentioned by Henley in connection with early instruments, although he does not state that it is exclusive to that period. The observed golden-brown varnish does not closely match his greyish-varnish description. These differences remain visible and are not averaged away.
Period compatibility—not a dateLater M’Intosh model provisionally favoured. This is comparison with a written historical description; it does not authenticate the maker or establish a manufacturing date.
The label, certificate and owner’s suggested maker have not influenced this image-first assessment.
Documentary evidence
Not yet combinedAdd labels, certificates, expert opinions and provenance only after the independent assessment.
Indicative valuation
£4,000–£6,000Brompton’s estimate · 10 Feb 2024
£3,800Documented auction reserve
£2,500Voigts purchase · early 1990s
UnsoldRecorded auction outcome
These are documentary facts, not an app-generated valuation. Brompton’s recorded “James McIntosh”, a £4,000–£6,000 estimate and £3,800 reserve on its signed contract dated 10 February 2024. The instrument was unsold. A present-day valuation remains to be established from dated comparable sales and specialist examination.
Recommended action
Specialist British-school opinion recommendedAsk the specialist to reconcile the Voigt certificate with the later English opinions, examine construction internally and physically, and provide a current insurance or sale valuation.
Documentary evidence
Added only after the image-first result
This information is stored separately so a label or owner belief cannot bias the initial visual assessment.
