Need help with identification

[Delacato]

My wifes great-great gradfather allegely played this instrument which she received as a family heirloom.

Having recently become interested in minor instrument restoration I have no other details about this manolin other than it comes from the Boer war era.

My question is can it be identified even though there are no markings. There are 7 screws on the top and bottom of the body securing the boards to the frame. (I have never seen this before which prompts me to think it might be a 'toy' mandolin.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3965986738_71fa3de3b1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3965991174_0fa2e0137b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3965991176_4fb8dfed60.jpg

Any help appreciated.

[JeffD]

Wow that is cool.

I really like the f hole side port.

[Schlegel]

It's an italian flatback mandolin, late 1800's or early 1900's by the design and details. I've seen the sideports before, but not in that shape. Do the screws seem original? That would be odd. I think that it is a real but originally inexpensive instrument. The tuners, headstock, and pickguard match guitar-shaped mandolins sold in England under the label "Neapolitan College of Music" such as in this thread: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46819&highlight=neapolitan+college+music

[Delacato]

many thanks for the info.

is there any way of definitively identifying who the maker was?

There are some numbers on the reverse of the machine head and there is a patent number on the metal bridge which is not attached to the soundboard.

There is also one piece of damage to the side port near the f-hole.

The screws seem to be made of brass. They look 'old' and have no tarnishing. Would they have been on the intrument from day one?