Vintage Caspar Schoenfelder Viola da Braccia / Viol de Braccio 1960s with Case, RARE!
A rare Viola da Braccia / Viol da Braccio from the Markneukirchen workshop of Caspar Schoenfelder, made in Germany in the early 1960’s.
The instrument was part of a collection of early music instruments purchased by a fine lady whom we knew for more than six decades. No longer, alas, among the living and that means we’ve promised the estate that we’d find new homes for the instruments.
A similar antique instrument is found in the Met Museum in New York.  Have a look and you’ll note the dimensions are not too far from those of ours.
To wit:
Table of spruce in two piece; two C tone-holes; top without purfling but edged in ebony;  back of two-piece irregularly flamed maple, ribs of similar wood.  Maple neck with pearwood fingerboard and tail-piece.  Six strings, rosewood pegs. Reddish-brown varnish of quality. 
Label reads “Caspar Shoenfelder / Lauten u. Geigenmacher in Neukirchen” and “made in Germany”
Body length :  42.7 cm
Body width (upper bouts) 18.4 cm
Center bouts 12.2 cm
Lower bouts 223.2 cm
Rib height, top block 5.2 cm
Rib height, center 4.8 cm
Rib height, lower bouts : 4.3 cm
String length : 41.3 cm
The instrument is being sold with a 1960’s saxophone case that’s been altered.
Condition is “9.5 out of ten”, almost perfect.
History of the original owner is available.  I could write a small book about her.
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Differences from viola da gamba
The families of the viola da braccio and the viola da gamba differ in size and form, the string tuning (viola da braccio in fifth tuning – viola da gamba in fourth tuning) as well as in the posture (viola da braccio = arm position, exception: bass-viola da braccio – viola da gamba = knee position) as well as in the bow position (viola da braccio = overbow grip – viola da gamba = underbow grip)
EDR
Wichita Band Instrument Company is a small musical instrument emporium located in the center of the USA.  The owners are Kansas natives Gary L. Ray and his two sons. 
Founded by a woodwind repair technician in 1953, we soon will commence our ]seventy-fourth year in business.
We’re not a “back bedroom” operation but can report that we are the owners of a proper “brick and mortar” workshop.
We enjoy a sterling reputation for ethical business transactions and confirm to our friends and clients the simple fact that we expect to be in business forever.