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Message:: [QUOTE="all_fakes, post: 3580909, member: 55"]I did find some info online about Stainer family violins; the original Stainer, late 1600s, was a master, comparable to Stradivarius, and one of his violins might be valued in 6 figures.  But sadly, the stamped "Stainer" mark would indicate it is a Stainer-style copy, no earlier than 1900. Many of these were sold through Sears and Montgomery Ward.The Stainer pattern had a very high arch to the top, higher than the back, and so high that if one looks sideways through an f-hole, one should be able to see out through the opposite f-hole.  That would tell you if yours is using the actual Stainer characteristics, or just using the name and backstamp.But just because it is a copy doesn't mean it has no value.I'd still take it to a good shop to get an estimate of repair/reconditioning costs vs. value.I found a story online about someone who invested $800 in repairs on a Stainer copy worth only around $250.But in a comparable story, I once took a heavily damaged guitar, bought at the Goodwill for $5 for the parts, to a luthier, finding out that he could repair it for around $250, and it would then be an $800 to $1000 guitar.  I had him do the work, and it is the best-sounding guitar I've ever owned...better than my two vintage Martins.[/QUOTE]