Gibson History, serial numbers, FON's and such

**mandotool** · Aug-02-2012, 11:57am

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Name: A4 Virzi 77438 1.jpg
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Here's a better look at the innards of A-4 virzi 77438 w/ butterscotch tuners..

**Ken Waltham** · Aug-02-2012, 7:04pm

That's pretty interesting. I would agree with Tom, in that I felt that asterik was added by someone, other than the Gibson factory. But.. when I see the above photo, and it looks so similar, I feel I would have to rethink that idea.
It would appear they are somehow connected.
Do any other members have similar photos they could share?
I have not closely followed this thread, is there a common element to these oval holes? Year, FON, Virzi???
Ken

**f5loar** · Aug-02-2012, 10:34pm

Maybe they were at one time owned by the same collector and that was his secret mark for theft ID. The two are similar but not exact. But Ken if you have not seen one before it would be odd. It looks more red ink like a ball point than the red pencil Gibson used in the FON.

**mrmando** · Aug-03-2012, 1:33am

Maybe they were ordered by the same sales rep...

**danb** · Aug-03-2012, 3:53am

Occurs to me I have more photos of these, though I'll have to hunt. It could be an individual dealer's mark too.. that was one idea I'd had at the time..

**mandotool** · Aug-03-2012, 10:03pm

More likely a fountain pen

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**Darryl Wolfe** · Aug-10-2012, 12:11pm

I have no idea but have seen this before. One thing we might want to explore is whether they are all FON's with the A suffix. They did something fishy for a while here and it could be tied to that for easy accounting purposes

**pheffernan** · May-18-2013, 9:58am

While I await the arrival of the mandolin that donaldraypat referenced upthread as his, can anyone tell me whether any consensus has been reached on the presence of the red asterisk?

Thanks,
Patrick

**mandotool** · May-28-2013, 5:35pm

No further Info has come to light since this thread back in August..
Are you are expecting delivery of a mandolin w/ red asterisk?
IF so.. by all means... post some photos

**pheffernan** · May-28-2013, 7:18pm

Originally Posted by donaldraypat

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Name: 1924 Gibson Loar Mandolin 003.jpg
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I hope this comes out ok. Not sure if I pasted it right.

I am expecting its arrival tomorrow. One photo is available in my avatar. Others can be found here: http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2648B/lots/2. And an interior shot was posted by donaldraypat on page 2 of this thread.

**Bernie Daniel** · May-29-2013, 10:01am

Originally Posted by mandotool

More likely a fountain pen

Comment. Who ever made that mark had remarkable skill with a pen -- notice the three lines intersect almost perfectly. If it was a mandolin picker who did that I guess he was precise at least.

**Taylor and Tenor** · Jun-02-2013, 5:07am

Not to belabor a point, but based upon the latest information about the going-ons at Gibson in 1923; that what I was told by Julius Bellson forty years ago is TRUE. Namely, that my instrument WAS made in 1923, serialized in 1924 and most likely not shipped until 1925 when the model was discontinued as part the new management's purge of unpopular instruments.
It really doesn't matter as I still have the notes I made from the conversation I had with Mr. Bellson 40 years ago.

It was an interesting thread and I thank you for sharing it.

**Stephen Porter** · Jun-02-2013, 2:05pm

Originally Posted by pheffernan

While I await the arrival of the mandolin that donaldraypat referenced upthread as his, can anyone tell me whether any consensus has been reached on the presence of the red asterisk?

Thanks,
Patrick

Patrick, did it arrive and does it have the red asterisk? Curious minds want to know.

STP