Can you please help??? Mandolin 100 yo

We have a mandolin that is my mothers who is 89 and it is her mothers so it must be over 100 years old we believe, it is in really good condition however we cannot find any signatures or makes on it on the keys to tighten the strings the letters DRGM, and and WARG and others on the other side.
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> On the back it has beautiful pattern and merges to a diamond on the middle, made from the same material as the mandolin.
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> Could you please help us with some information if possible

I am sorry but i cant seem to attach a phot either so if anyone can help with this as well i would appreciate it
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> thanks
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> Jen

What kind of mandolin is it? Is it a bowl back? flat? bent top? can't be an arched top because they didn't make them a 100 years ago. But without a picture it would sure be hard to identify it.

I am guessing (just a guess) it is a bowl back mandolin and unfortunately just because an instrument is old doesn't neccesarily make it valuable especially if it is a bowl back.

We call them "taterbug" mandolins around here. :grin:

If you could post a picture or a link to a picture it sure would help identify it a LOT easier.

go here to learn how to post a picture to the Cafe forum. :mandosmiley:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=52961

Sounds to me like a German-made mandolin with marquetry on the back. This kind of thing:
http://images.craigslist.org/3n23kd3...7c471117ca.jpg

DRGM stands for "Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmusterschutz," which is the equivalent of "Patent Applied For" and means the item had been submitted to the German patent office (pre-WWII).

"WARG" might be the brand name of the tuners, that's my best guess. More info here, but most of it's in German, which puts me at a disadvantage.

Thanks very much for that, the mandolin looks very similar to the one you posted, however the marquetry on the back goes to a diamond in the middle, but im guessing same make etc. thats very encouraging hopefully the attachment below helps,

thanks again


thanks

Jen

What beautiful woodwork. How does it play?

And an unusual tailpiece.

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Originally Posted by jim_n_virginia

...can't be an arched top because they didn't make them a 100 years ago....

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We now know hers isn't an arched top, but Gibson was making arched top mandolins 100 years ago.

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Originally Posted by Bill Snyder

We now know hers isn't an arched top, but Gibson was making arched top mandolins 100 years ago.

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Yes I stand corrected. :mandosmiley:

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Originally Posted by SternART

And an unusual tailpiece.

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Looks to me like an ordinary kidney-bean tailpiece with a big dent in it!

Are the flowers on the front also inlaid wood, or painted on?

It would be very hard to pinpoint the maker. I don't know anything about German prewar mandolin builders, but I do know that this is a very, very popular design that was and is used all over Europe. It most likely does not have great monetary value and would be worth about $500 or less.

Thanks

the flowers are also made from the wood, it is not such about the cost just about the significance of it before it leaves the family

I appreciate your comments, and time as we know nothing about mandolins thanks again

Jen

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Originally Posted by mrmando

Looks to me like an ordinary kidney-bean tailpiece with a big dent in it!

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I believe that is correct.

I think the value monetarily would be much less, the value as an heirloom in the family should be more. These are available regularly on eBay in similar trim.

What a lovely mandolin! As has been suggested, the monetary value isn't very high, for some reason, but these kind of mandolins are often very beautiful (yours is a particularly nice example) and can have a lovely tone. It looks in good condition, too.

Fliss

Here is one on eBay with a very similar design, although yours is older.

Why would one want to call a great mandolin a taterbug? I know where that term came from and its insulting to the many players of bowlbacks.
No matter what instrument one plays its the music that the musician makes and some of the best and most famous musicians play bowlbacks .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stevenmando

Why would one want to call a great mandolin a taterbug?

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Hmmmmm... I wonder why.

There are even people that have and cherish their mandolins that refer to them as taterbugs.

Seems like a term of endearment to me.

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Originally Posted by man dough nollij

Seems like a term of endearment to me.

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Gibson didn't mean it to be one when they came up with it, is what I was told.

Nice looking German mandolin btw. Isn't it funny how often the most beautiful part of a mandolin is the back that no one can see when you play?

Hi, My grandfather played this exact same mandolin, we have one here but the neck has started to twist so it is not in playable condition. Are you considering selling this? I would definitely be interested if so.

I knew my tater bug comment would come back to haunt me ,love them tater bugs and the mandolins too and yes it is a very nice mandolin , love the design on the back .

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Originally Posted by AngieM

Hi, My grandfather played this exact same mandolin, we have one here but the neck has started to twist so it is not in playable condition. Are you considering selling this? I would definitely be interested if so.

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Angie: you can try contacting the OP but be aware that this thread is about 3 1/2 years old.