Once I asked a friend of mine about one I had seen in a junk shop that was in very bad condition, he said the best thing to do for it would be remove all the strings and other metal parts and throw it in the fireplace. I still don't agree with that advice, especially since it's in perfect condition. I have seen similiar instruments played and have to guess it requires an abillity to tune it(like an autoharp)and from there one might dink with it until you find some tunes or sounds that make sense.If anyone would have instruction on the instrument, it will likely be Elderly Instruments

www.elderly.com

Good luck, sounds like a real find.
Mudjack