I know it is hard to tell from photos but the top on this one looks more brownish than the usual reddish finish of that era. I have seen F-4s from around 1921 with that finish—a friend of mine has two of them—and ones dated later into the Loar era, but didn't know they offered that finish that early. Unless, of course, it was returned to the factory and finished in the 1920s or later. Back looks seriously shiny, too. Hmmmmm...
Vintage 1917 Gibson F4 Mandolin
Bookmarks