Wondering about this vintage mandolin....

[mandomax88]

I have a very old looking, purportedly Italian, mandolin that I am seeking to have restored. I am wondering if anybody knows anything about this instrument. It is bowl backed and the eagle on the top makes me want to say it's American, but this mandolin supposedly belonged to my great, great grandfather who came over on a boat from Italy. Either way, I am hoping somebody can shed some light on what it may be!

[Hudmister]

Just my guess but this is a high quality mandolin made in Italy. The eagle is a traditional Italian symbol much like the American symbol. In restored condition you've got something special. Another possibility is that it was built in America by Italian immigrants who possessed the skills brought over from the old country. I would love to see a nice close up of the eagle inlay in the pick guard.

[brunello97]

An interesting mandolin. Thanks for posting. Do you have more photos you can provide? My guess would be that it is American made, but there are distinct Italian features--the soundhole rosette inlay (though not uncommon on US bowls) and the curved profile of the end of the fingerboard, which one rarely sees on American bowlbacks. Contrarily so, the top edge binding hardly looks classic Italian. The headstock, tuners and back-of-the-bowl look very American. Like the Hudmeister implies, perhaps this is a hybrid construction...by recent immigrants with experience in Italy?

Some more photos would help....

Mick

[Jim Garber]

I alos lean to American. The pickguard inlay in not a real give-away as to maker. Makers often bought those pre-cut from pearl cutting suppliers and you can find the same inlay on mandolins (or guitars or banjos) of different makers. The same thing with the equally popular butterflies on pickguards.

[Graham McDonald]

The neck (though its hard to tell exactly from the photo) looks like non-veneered mahogany, which would suggest American, but it doesn't have the collar covering the end of the ribs which was common.

[Jeff Hildreth]

That appears to be an American interpretation of an eagle. The inlays and other features say "American" to me.

[mandomax88]

Thanks for the replies folks! Here are a few more pics I found....the thing that looks like a crack across the top and through the pickguard is just a string.....thats one old string.

[Jim Garber]

I would not say that this is particularly valuable mandolin regardless of where it was made. It might cost you quite a bit to have ti restored to playing condition, possibly more than it would be worth. I assume you have some sentimental attachment since it belonged to your GGGF?

[Jeff Mando]

I think it is a good looking mandolin and a wonderful piece of family history. I've got a picture of my great, great grandfather, but a mandolin would be better! Good luck with it.

[JeffD]

I have a very old looking, purportedly Italian, mandolin that I am seeking to have restored. I am wondering if anybody knows anything about this instrument. It is bowl backed and the eagle on the top makes me want to say it's American, but this mandolin supposedly belonged to my great, great grandfather who came over on a boat from Italy.

If you have any pictures of him with the instrument, get them printed and kept with the instrument. If you decide to sell it or hand it on, get a picture of yourself holding the instrument, and put that with it as well. 100 years from now, someone will be eternally grateful.