ALL SCI-FI

[Brent Gair]

So here's the story...

An old guy who lived on my street (Dave) died last year. He had worked with my mother for many, years and they were good friends. As he got older (and legally blind), my mother and I would take care of him. She helped him with domestic matters like payings bills and he would call me for technical matters like fixing his TV or doing small repairs.

Following his death, my mother worked with his niece, to tie up affairs (sale of the house, etc.). In appreciation for my help during Dave's later years, this lady gave my mother 3 harmonicas to give to me (knowing that I play harmonica...badly ).

One harmonca in particular caught my attention. At first glance, it seemed to be just another Hohner Marine Band...a very good, very popular but very ordinary harmonica. For 50 years, it was just about the only harmonica used by rockers and blues players. It was in mint condition which was not terribly surprsing because Marine Bands are still made. But I flipped this over and was shocked to discover the rare Star of David like symbol on the bottom cover. It's not really a Star of David...but looks like one. The Hohners were made in Germany and the Nazis ordered that symbol removed from the stamping die before the war. This symbol combined with some other small indicators clearly date this harp to 1936-38.





Oddly, my mother claims she has no recollection of old Dave ever playing the harmonica...even though she knew him and his wife for 40 years.

The interesting part? Dave's niece, who provided the harps, was married to Rockabilly legend Buddy Knox (Party Doll, Hula Love). Knox lived and worked in Western Canada 40+ years ago.

Is it possible that I am now the owner of Buddy Knox's harmonicas?

https://youtu.be/mnKu63XRYXU