An old mandolin I'd like to know more about.

[farnsbarns]

Hello everyone. I'm a complete noob here, I was pointed in this direction by my friends over at the Gibson forum (I'm a guitar man).

I could use your help finding out a bit about this...











There's no name anywhere, there's a very small ink stamp visible on the inside but if it's letters it's illegible . The interior appears to be paper lined.

If any other photos or info would help, let me know.

It looks in far worse shape than it is in those photos although it's by no means good.

Thank you.

[lenf12]

It's an updide down mandolin (1st picture most likely of Italian origin (paper lining). I couldn't begin to guess at the maker or age.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Texas]

I'm dizzy looking at that first picture, and the last picture shows what appears to be a toe or two. Sorry I can't help, but wanted to share and say thanks for the pictures.

[farnsbarns]

I have inverted the first image, even though it is now upside down!

[allenhopkins]

Some US-made instruments had paper linings as well, such as early Washburns, though it was probably more prevalent with Italian builders.

Rosewood bowl, medium "rib count," modest inlays, which indicates "mid-range" instrument. The "firestripe" celluloid pickguard to me might mean a slightly more recent date, possibly 1920's or '30's, rather than turn-of-the-20th-century.* I haven't seen that particular pickguard shape, though similar shapes do pop up through Google search.

Hope that some of the real experts here have seen something like it. I lean toward American manufacture. Seems like a decent mid-price instrument originally, with low market value now due to condition. However, I await with interest others' contributions...

*If I'm wrong about ID-ing it as celluloid, and it's actual shell, could be quite a bit older.

[farnsbarns]

Actually, I think it is shell. Although I'm no expert it is broken in one spot which reveals many layers (think broken fingernail) like keratin should be. I am very open to being corrected.

Thanks guys for the responses thus far.

Tomorrow I intend to give it a good clean. The photo really shows the dust and grime it built up over the years, the top looks terrible in the photos and is not so bad in real life.

More pictures coming!

[brunello97]

Definitely Italian to my eye. A number of distinct clues: the very thin fretboard with end contoured around the sound hole. The case is also of the type common to Italian mandolins sold in export to the UK. Also the tailpiece, which sometimes does show up on early east-coast US bowl backs is most typical of Italian models. Lastly the top is almost finish-free. Yes, it could have worn all off evenly, but that is highly unlikely. These mid range Italian bowls had little if any finish on their tops.

Is the bridge missing? Some side views should reveal the condition of the neck and hence its playability.

Count me in on with the "edit the toes out" advocates.

Mick

[Jim Garber]

The scratchplate shape resembles a few Stridente mandolins I have in my my files.