What do I have?

[terminal99]

I just bought this mandolin. I know nothing about it. I can't find a name anywhere.

[Ed Goist]

Welcome to the Cafe!
All I know about it is that it's an oval hole mandolin, and that it looks really nice. Congratulations!
I particularly like the pickguard (finger rest).
One thing that seems strange, though, are the double dots at the 10th fret (they are usually at the 12th fret).
Enjoy!

[Ray(T)]

The pickguard material is affectionately known as "Mother of Toilet Seat". To me it doesn't look original and was probably added later.

[MikeEdgerton]

Your mandolin was most likely made in Chicago by one of two companies. It's either a Lyon & Healy or a Regal product. The two companies were connected. It was made "for the trade", that is to be sold by a retailer or a music teacher or school and that's why it doesn't have any labels or markings. Many times these retailers or schools would add their own labels and markings. You can see very similar mandolins in Hubert Pleijer's book Washburn Prewar Instrument Styles. Similar models appear from the 20's through the 30's.

[terminal99]

Thanks for the welcome and the help guys!

[8ch(pl)]

This is also a Cant top or Bent top instrument. Bowl backs were made like this. If set up properly, you have a very nice mandolin. Good for Celtic and Folk music. Not really suited for Bluegrass. It is a good starter instrument. Just because it has no label doesn't take away from the quality built in by the maker.

Value wise it would probably be between $250 and $350, more or less.

[allenhopkins]

Body shape kinda resembles this Supertone mandolin which Elderly had for sale; they attribute it to "1930's Harmony" (?). The tuners, "dish" top to the headstock, and pickguard differ, however, as does the shape of the fretboard extension over the soundhole. Yours is nicer...

[MikeEdgerton]

I think they probably attribute that to Harmony because everyone assumes anything sold by Sears was built by Harmony. That's actually not true.

Take a look at this.

[Mandolin Mick]

I love that pickguard! Reminds me of my Hofner Bass!

[allenhopkins]

I think they probably attribute that to Harmony because everyone assumes anything sold by Sears was built by Harmony. That's actually not true...

Yeah, that's why I added the "(?)". I think your attribution to Regal/L&H is closer to right.

[Jim Garber]

It looks a little closer to this Regal-labelled one tho different accoutrements.

[Jim Garber]

Or a Lyon & Healy Washburn Style G.

[MikeEdgerton]

That kind of covers both bases well