Ethics question - unmarked import

I have a Michael Kelly Elegante mandolin that has no markings at all as to the origin, or the maker for that matter. The interior label is gone and the headstock inlay just has the "MK".

The quick version... I'm at least the fourth owner. I bought it cheap from a friend who bought it from his friend (call him owner2). Owner2 bought the mandolin from a person who told him the mandolin was US made by a small shop in Virginia that is no longer in business because the builder passed away (the whole story could be a short book).

My question: If I decide to sell this mandolin is there any way I could be sure a future buyer doesn't get shafted on it or should I even be concerned?

[Skanderbeg]

I was under the impression that MK's were made in Korea, but my advice would be that if you aren't sure of its origin just make no representation on that point and let the instrument sell on its own merit.

[John Flynn]

I am not sure why you think a future owner might get "shafted." It may be a good instrument, but we are not talking about a Loar or a Gilchrist here. It is not a collector's item, or a professional grade instrument, so the pedigree is not a big deal. Ethically, I would be honest about what you know for a fact on it and keep silent on any hearsay about it. BTW, my understanding is that at one point in time, some of the higher end MK's were made in the states. If you really want to know for sure, you might take pictures of it and send them to the MK company and ask them what the real deal is.

[Steve L]

I don't think your responsibility extends beyond the person you sell it to. If you're not trying to misrepresent the instrument, you're just selling X mandolin for y amount of dollars and someone either wants it or they don't. If you were trying to put another makers identity on it, that's obviously a whole other matter.

I am not sure why you think a future owner might get "shafted."
Well, I guess since a previous owner got shafted on it I don't see why a future buyer couldn't have the same thing happen to him.

I actually don't know where it was made but I am pretty sure it wasn't made by some dead guy in Virginia.

[MikeEdgerton]

If you simply include the information you've posted here with an accurate description in the auction then you've given the next buyer as much information (or more) as you have and nothing really comes back to you. There's no fault in being honest. Stating your doubts as to the origin is honorable as well. Someone that wants to bid on the mandolin then bids based on the truth as you know it to be. Nobody will ever fault you for that. If someone comes up with more information and sends that to you in an e-mail and you choose to post that on the auction you're even more of a hero.