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I have no horse in this race, but there is a very nice VV-XVI on ebay and the seller has it listed as Circassian Walnut. I wrote to him and suggested that it may be nicely figured American Walnut and the seller wrote back and said that it has a paper that says "special finish", which I believe American Walnut was. I would be just as happy to be wrong, so I wanted to post a picture and see what the consensus was. Beautiful wood either way.

Walnut of either type was considered to be "special finish" and was an extra cost option, the standard finishes being mahogany or oak. Oak could be waxed, glossy or dark waxed (fumed). In my opinion, the machine shown is American walnut. Circassian walnut has a dramatically different look due to its striking grain pattern and color and is not easily mistaken for American.

Jim

Yes, as you said, it's nicely figured American Walnut, not Circassian.

I concur with American Walnut.

For whatever it's worth, the paper label on the back of my XVI states "Circassian Walnut." I believe after WWI broke out and supplies of Circassian dwindled, the "Special Finish" paper labels came into use.

George P.

I spoke with the seller, who is a very good friend of mine, and he has changed the listing in line with the consensus of opinion. There was no intent to mislead, just an honest mistake.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1913-SPECIAL-F ... 3338449343

Raphael

Raphael wrote:I spoke with the seller, who is a very good friend of mine, and he has changed the listing in line with the consensus of opinion. There was no intent to mislead, just an honest mistake.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1913-SPECIAL-F ... 3338449343

Raphael

I never suspected that he was trying to deceive, I just thought that one of us was incorrect. I did not include a link to the auction because I didn't want to shame anyone. The nicely figured American Walnut that Victor used on the higher level machines was more subtle, but still very nice and I think very desirable.

I totally agree, and just wanted others to realize that it was an honest mistake.

It looks exactly like one I had a few years ago, even down to the key tassel...and several people who saw it on my website thought it might be Circassian as well.

Here's a Circassian example that I currently have. If ever in doubt, the simplest way to determine the wood is to look at the grain pattern under the lid.


Raphael