Not a Mandolin...But WHAT IS IT?

[multidon]

The top and back are both fully braced--top has at least two (one just past the end of the fingerboard and the other under the bridge area; two on the back-one visible through the sound hole and one across the lower bout). The strings are not permanently attached in any way and are "real musical strings" (but very old). See images below. I do agree that the peg winding is not "professional" but I don't think that sheds light on the issues at hand.

Well then, that being the case, you don't have anything to lose by trying some light gauge mandolin strings on it, and see what you get. You could start with mandolin tuning, but you will find it too floppy to be playable. then just sneak the tension up a bit at a time, until you get a playable note. Then see what notes you have. I bet cgda would work, a 4th above mandolin, when using mandolin strings. What do I have to go on? Absolutely nothing! But my guess is as good as anyone else's at this point. If this thing was mine, that's how I would proceed. YMMV.

What a kick it would be at a gig to put away your regular axe, pull this out from under your coat, and start wailing' on it!

[Moon]

I'm going to go with piccolo mandolele or
sopranino mandolele. It would be tuned GDAE, and be small like a uke.

Or it was a poor man's mandolin; the builder saved on wood and strings...?

[pops1]

I'm inclined to agree, especially since the strings are inconsistently wound onto the pegs. Look closely at the 2nd string peg and the 1st string peg (enhanced pic below). The 2nd string is wound backwards compared to the 1st string. Not a 'normal' configuration among most musicians, I'd say, unless there was some extenuating circumstance... maybe they wanted to avoid having the 2nd string cross directly on top of the 1st string peg, which seems to be happening over on the other side where it looks like the 3rd string crosses over top of the 4th string post.

While there is no consistence, I had a friend with a Flamenco guitar with violin tuners that would wind the two E's backwards. It kept them straighter thru the nut and was easier tuning.

[Mark Gunter]

I would think it's a custom one-off child's instrument or a decorative instrument, maybe used in a comedic minstrel show, as previously suggested. Why so well made? Probably a requirement of the customer - or perhaps something a luthier required of his apprentice.

You may never have an answer, but it's a fun conversation piece that elicits plenty of conjecture!

[MikeEdgerton]

The tailpiece is pretty impressive. It had to be a one off. It almost looks like a violin player wanted something to use a plectrum on instead of a bow. It looks pretty serious.

[Steve Ostrander]

Obviously it's a Schmergel Mini-Devastator.

[allenhopkins]

Obviously it's a Schmergel Mini-Devastator.

Sacrilege!!

[dhergert]

Obviously it's a Schmergel Mini-Devastator.

No, those have 5 strings (four long and one short) and a skin or plastic head.

[allenhopkins]

No, those have 5 strings (four long and one short) and a skin or plastic head.

Heresy!!

[Petrus]

Not buying the machete conclusion. Any that I have seen pictures of were invariably guitar shaped.

Yep, I had one briefly. It had a tendency to go sharp.

[JackCO]

Yep, I had one briefly. It had a tendency to go sharp.

Nice one

[Jim Garber]

Yeah, but it had a good chop and was a nice axe.

[Mark Miller]

Late comer to this thread. Nothing to add, except, holy c@#$ this is one strange story. Seems like someone put serious work and care into this, but why? Is it an alien artifact? My tinfoil hat must be around here somewhere....

[ollaimh]

i am with the portuguese connection but probably azori, the azori lutheirs often made round body instruments that were made with guitar shaped bodies on the mainland. i once had one like that but twice the size. i sold it to a portuguese friend. the label said it was made in the azores..

[bratsche]

It is cute. But a 7 7/8" scale? I don't know how it could be anything but a child's instrument, or a miniature meant for display. I would think it humanly impossible for an adult to play anything that small. Heck, I have trouble with a 13" scale mandolin (but then, I can't fathom how people can type with their thumbs on a 5" phone screen, either. I'd have to use my pinkies, and even then would probably accidentally type double-letters!)

bratsche

[JeffD]

I see this theory has been posited. I think it really might be a piccolo mandolin. The most beautiful example of which I found Joseph Cleary makes over at Campanella. MAS indeed.

[tonydxn]

I'm very late to this party but here's my two penny-worth. My first mandolin was a Portuguese one I bought in a pawn-shop in London around 1970 (it sounded fantastic). I've been fascinated with Portuguese instruments ever since. This has several typically Portuguese features. First, the bone bridge which stands up on two feet. Second, the hefty tailpiece with pointed posts, held on by a single big knurled screw. Third, no binding and the purfling inset from the edge of the soundboard. Fourth, a very thick radiused fingerboard. So, for my money, it couldn't be anything but Portuguese. Sorry I can't answer the OP's question, 'What is it?' but I do know the Portuguese have all kinds of instruments which are unique to them.