There is 1 original bassoon of Mathäus Hirschstein (c.1695-1760) in the Hichwa-Rachor database. He was a wealthy music dealer in Leipzig from c.1744 to his death in 1760. Hirschstein was not himself a bassoon maker, but placed his stamp on instruments made by journeyman woodwind makers. This bassoon is the only known extant example of a Hirschstein bassoon.
Mathäus Hirschstein Literature
Dullat, Günter. Verzeichnis der Holz-und Metallblasinstrumentenmacher auf Deutschsprachigem Gebiet von 1500 bis Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts. Scheider, 2010.
Heyde, Herbert. “Der Instrumentenbau in Leipzig zur Zeit Johann Sebastian Bachs, in 300 Jahre Johann Sebastian Bach. Tutzing: Schneider, 1985, p. 81-82.
Heyde, Herbert. Musikinstrumentenbau in Preussen. Schneider, 1994.
Heyde, Herbert. “Der Holzblasinstrumentenbau in Leipzig in der 2. Hälfte des 18. Jahrhunderts”. TIBIA, Moeck, No. 3, 1987, pp. 482-485.
Lütgendorff, Willibald von. Die Geigen und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart. II. Band, Frankfurter Verlags, 1922.
Rachor, David. “A Bassoon by Hirschstein: The Instrument and Its Possible Use in the Military”. The Galpin Society Journal, Vol. 57, May 2004, pp. 117-124, 179.
Vannes, René. Dictionnaire Universel des Luthiers. Bruxelles, 1951.
Waterhouse, William. The New Langwill Index. London: Tony Bingham, 1993.
Hirschstein, Mathäus, 4 key bassoon; Hirschstein1-O-Rachor
Hirschstein1-O-Rachor General Information