Really ..wow and Dorset is not far from me! Thank you
Here is Sam on machete. If yours sounds as good ...
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155669394931938&id=674971937
Wow - it is a pretty amazing little piece of history! Is there a family story that goes along with the machete? A relative from Portugal who collected folk art? A musician who played other stringed instruments? A woodworker from Madera who moved to Hawaii? Even the case is wonderful.
That is a beautiful instrument for certain. Looks like others have already gone down the same rabbit hole that I did looking for something similar, dreaming that perhaps I too might be blessed with such an amazing inheritance. Here is a Portuguese Machete played for some comparison. Just beautiful. Thank you for the pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDyrS9ZQMHU