Strong arm business practices + interchangeable parts = successful accordion company!
I did not know that family quarrels divided and eventually caused the capitulation of the A.S. Koch company. I wonder if such divisions contributed to that company's expansion into other products - razors, radios, clarinets, steak knives, etc. I was also interested by the story of Hans Eisen making reeds shortly before and during the second world war, in Trossingen no less! Isn't this roughly the time that Hohner reed plates started being marked with an H? I'm trying to determine the extent of Eisen's production and whether or not he forayed into accordion reeds.
Another interesting point: from what it looks like, Hohner engaged in outsourcing some of their products to other factories, including factories that they did not yet control. This explains the different parts and other design discrepancies between models of harmonica and accordion.
I've just put in an ILL request for several books on the subject of German harmonica history (including the work cited) so hopefully our librarian will be able to find another library that is willing to lend their copy. I'm also hoping it comes with a detailed bibliography in the back.