ID on a vintage Wards mandolin

[grimpleshins]

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Woke to find this old mandolin sitting under the tree this morning. My wife picked it up at a yard sale for a couple bucks. I'm completely new to mando, and looking for some info. When she brought it in to the music store to find a case, they told her it was most likely a Gibson-era Montgomery Ward from the late 30s/early 40s. After looking around a bit online, I haven't been able to find anything specific, but either way it looks like she got a pretty good deal.

I was wondering if anyone could give me any more info on this model? No mark on the headstock, but inside it has a "Wards" sticker and a stamp (both visible in the second picture). The last four digits of the stamp look like "193X", but I can't quite make out the last digit. I'm assuming the (gaudy as hell) confetti pickguard is an aftermarket addition. Overall, it looks very similar to the instruments in these two forum posts:


http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?70246-Mandolin-ID-help

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?86775-Pre-1970s-mandolin-looking-for-any-info-possible&highlight=Wards

but neither post was able to supply any interior markings. I wasn't sure if the additional information might help pin down a date.

Any specific info on the age or value? What are the chances it's from the Gibson/Wards partnership period? Mostly just curious about the history. Regardless, it's a great starter instrument in great shape. Looking forward to learning how to play the thing. Thanks!

-Joe


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[Jim Garber]

I don't kno what they meant by a "Gibson-era Montgomery Ward" mandolin. Yes, both companies were in existence most lilley at the time this was made and Gibson did make some instruments for MW but this is not one of them. More than likely this was made by one of the Chicago companies that cranked out lots of wholesale instruments to the mail order companies: Harmony, Regal; Kay; Lyon & Healy. Headstock looks like plenty of L&H ones but my bet is with Harmony. Just a guess, really. It looks like it is in decent shape but it is not a high end mandolin. Enjoy it anyway.

[allenhopkins]

Gibson did build for Montgomery Ward, and you can find these round "Wards" labels on Gibson-made instruments. However, doubt this one's by Gibson.

Many American builders sold instruments to the big catalog stores; the lower-priced ones would come from builders like Harmony, Oscar Schmidt and Regal. This one looks Regal to me, similar to the one in this thread. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?82687-1923-Regal-Style-A-Mandolin)

Wouldn't be surprised if the flashy celluloid pickguard were original equipment, either.

[pfox14]

I agree with Jim, this is definitely NOT a Gibson-made mandolin. Looks like a Harmony to me.