Real or fake?

[uncle ken]

Is this really a trashed out fern or a fake (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3725841885&rd=1)? The case looks right and the seller has a long list of musical items for sale. Someone in the Sacramento area should go check it out.

[Charlie Derrington]

Some of it looks right, most of it looks wrong. Hard to say 100% without seeing it, but my gut tells me, nope.

Certainly worth 500 bucks, whatever it is.

Charlie

[Ken Waltham]

My guess is it's a Cliff Sargent, and the geography is certainly right.

[f5loar]

What makes you think the case looks right? I never saw a Fern style case with type of mid pocket/neck rest. The shinny new latches don't help it being old either.
No label, no factory order number, wrong scroll, wrong point upturn and there is a doubt here? Charlie you should know this is probably one of those many "unsigned" Loar era factory seconds that seem to show up in the west and mid-western regions. The got "The Gibson" at the top, a '21 bridge stamp what more proof do you need?
$500? It's over $2000 now and reserve still not meet.
You list a $70,000 mandolin on ebay for a $1 starting bid and you never bothered to get a second opinon? I rest my case!

[uncle ken]

The seller ended the listing so maybe someone went over and bought it or he got barraged with too many emails from the vintage mandolin police. Thanks for the expert opinions from everyone.

[danmills]

It's back (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3727333731'), no longer claiming to be 75+ years old.

So, how good are Cliff Sargent's mandolins anyway?
-D