Unmarked Great Grandfathers Mandolin

[tbrCapnBen]

Hey all,
My grandmother gave me her fathers mandolin. He came over to the states in 1922 and I was wondering if you all had any info on it. Not sure if he got it here or brought it over with him. It needs a little r&r but i am excited about it. Any info would be really appreciated.
Thanks,
Ben

Tailpiece says "Pat Oct 26 86"

[allenhopkins]

Well, US-patent tailpiece, so I doubt European manufacture. Probably acquired it here. Looks like a Chicago-built, early 20th-century instrument, like this American Conservatory by Lyon & Healy. The "scooped out" headstock profile, and the pickguard shape, are quite similar.

Not many ribs in the bowl, and pretty sparse ornamentation, so might be a lower-to-mid-range instrument. Looks like a rosewood "skirt" around the bowl, and mahogany ribs. If you got the rib separation repaired, you could have a decent instrument and a nice piece of family history. Mandolins used to be extremely common and popular; my grandfather played one around 1901, and belonged to a mandolin club of some kind. Immigrants from the Mediterranean area would no doubt get one of the many affordable American instruments as soon as they could.

[tbrCapnBen]

Awesome, thanks! I will definitely be looking into finding a luthier to repair it. Im excited to play an instrument with so much time under its belt...