Born in Markneukirchen in 1878, Paul Dörfel apprenticed with his father Adolf. He made the unusual step of working in Warsaw, Poland, starting in 1898, then on to Orenberg, Russia, for several years before returning to Markneukirchen in 1921. He made arrangements to provide fine instruments to several major dealers, including William Moennig & Son in Philadelphia. 

This fine violin has an exceptional tone, good and solid and very easy to play.