Hello Ken, I was looking at your Prichard replica you made.  Very nice!  Are the hearts actually holes or are they painted on?  I am working on my kit right now and have not decided what type of holes to make.  I thought about spades or clovers.  May be to difficult though.  Thanks for the picture!

Susan Ann, I am still willing to list this as a Prichard dulcimer. The pegs are very similar to those made by C. N. Prichard. The hearts are typical of Prichard's as well. The number of frets is indicative of a Prichard dulcimer. I have not seen a Prichard with the purfling lines, but the sample of original Prichards is small. The feet on the back are typical of Prichards. 

One telltale feature of Prichards is a sound post just about in the middle of the fret board. It connects the top and back and is difficult to see from the sound holes. The often came loose and were discarded or lost, but evidence of their presence can be seen as glue spots. 

My wife and I have been talking about camping in Michigan sometime after the pandemic is under control. Perhaps we could make a trip our you way as we'd like to get back to the UP. We are alumni of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. 

If you are willing to let me place you on the list of Prichard owners, and some of the others are not certain either, email me your last name.

Here is another photo of Prichard reproduction I made.

Ken

"Tye dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thank You so much Strumelia!  I think I got it!  Sorry for jumping too soon that this is "actually" a Pritchard.  I revised my page so it doesn't state that.  So this is still a big mystery.  Maybe someday I can find a qualified professional to inspect it.  Thanks again!

If it says the files are too large, then you need to downsize the .jpg files in size a little bit. Do you know how many kb or MB one of those 'too big' pictures is now? post the size here.
Do you have animage editing program on your phone or computer? Most images can be edited in simple ways in the same program where they are viewing/managing thier images on their device. 

How  do you load pictures on your personal home page?  I was able to load 2, but now it keeps telling me the file is too large?  Help!!

Hello Strumelia!   I am not totally sure if it is a Prichard.  I can only go by comparing photos on the internet and the information I am getting here on FOTMD.  I have sent a few pictures to a couple knowledgeable people on FOTMD and they believe it is a Pritchard too.  I would love to have someone inspect it by hand to verify it, but living in Northern Michigan, I have limited resources.  That's one of the reasons I have joined FOTMD.

There looks to be some kind of pencil marks on the inside lower holes, but I can't make out what it is.  There is also some writing on the center back that looks to say "Dulcimer" with a design under it and either leaves or flowers around it.  Also, on the back lower portion, it looks like 3 initials written on it.  I don't know if they are original or added to it later by someone.  The colored marks on the side of the fret board and instrument is a painted design in black.  Some of the wood shows through and that is the light colored marks that you see.  

I don't plan on altering it at all, like you said, it would devalue it.  It needs to stay in its natural state.  I can send pictures to anyone that might be able to help.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  Thank you for your questions.

I can't believe the delicate wooden points of the hearts are all still perfectly intact!

This is definitely a dulcimer of historical value, in beautiful unaltered shape. Don't change anything on it or try to clean up the finish.. that would devalue it.

Has anyone here on FOTMD seen a Prichard with this style of pegs before? And with the triple purfling lines around the edges?

Susan Ann- what makes you sure it's a Prichard? Have you bb=een able to see any label or maker's mark at all on it, or inside through the soundholes with a flashlight?

I also wonder what all those funny little light colored marks are that we glimpse in the photo on the instrument sides and the sides of the fret board... do you know? Or perhaps just a glitch of the photo.

Thank you for your advice Dusty-Turtle.  I think I will leave it as is and sew up a good case for it.  

There are ways of working with old wooden tuners, but your dulcimer has legitimate historical value and should be handled by a professional.  Good luck with the kit!

So glad I can share it with you!  I believe my dulcimer kit will be delivered today.  Can't wait to get busy on it and learn how to play.  I wish I could play the old girl, her pegs wont keep the strings tight. 

That's a beautiful treasure, Susan!  You're fortunate to have it.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

SWEET!!!

Yes, she is a gem!

Looks to be in darn good shape for such an old-timer!  

Wow, what a great-looking old mountain dulcimer!  I love how it appears to have been played quite a bit.