Re: Vintage Gibson A model
The Gibson A never had a headstock logo, and the back was unbound. The A went from a "pumpkin" finish to a brown finish in 1918, apparently, which agrees with the estimated date of this one. It would have had an elevated pickguard, which has been lost along the way, and a non-adjustable bridge, which has been replaced by the adjustable one.
The soundhole rosette's another story. Looking at images of Gibson A's, I find quite a few variations: a single ring of herringbone purfling, two concentric rings, perhaps others. I've not seen one that looks like this one's, but Gibson is noted for exceptions to their normal designs, so it could be a factory install -- perhaps grabbing a top from another mandolin to finish building a particular instrument. Or not.
Clearly the mandolin's been refinished, quite possibly oversprayed with a poly finish, which has "crazed" through imperfect attachment to the original finish. The less "paddle" headstock profile was also a late-'teens change in the A; Gibson went to the snakehead profile in the early '20's, after this one was made.
As to frets, if it's gone 95 or so years without fret replacement, may be time to consider that. As to the action, it does appear from the sideways shot that there's little arch left to the top. Again, not unusual for an instrument of this age; tops often lose some of their arch, though you should check to make sure the transverse brace below the soundhole is intact and attached. The fact that the action is still too high for you, while the neck-set angle appears to be pretty normal, means you need a lower bridge, I guess. From your pics, the action seems to be within the normal range, but you're the one playing it. Lighter strings would probably help, though they would somewhat lessen the acoustic projection of the instrument.
Wonder how this one ended up in Tokyo? As to "fixing and restoration," I'd investigate a lower bridge saddle, and perhaps a re-fret, though how to get one in Tokyo, I don't know. Good luck with it.
Later: that rosette looks like one in this current thread about a paddle-head A-2Z, another mandolin that Gibson supposedly didn't make. You get all kinds of variants, especially in the large-volume heyday of Gibson mandolin production.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
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