Help identifying very old mandolin

[vanguard]

Hey, all. I'm looking at an old mandolin, and am curious if y'all can determine the maker from these very washed out pics. Thanks!

[allenhopkins]

The "scoop-top" headstock looks like Regal Model 2213, and the tuner coverplate is also found on Regal instruments but I can't find a pic of a Regal with a pickguard that extends to the bass side of the soundhole. Many of them have guards that go all the way to the treble-side binding, but end right around the soundhole.

Hoping others will join in.

[vanguard]

Any chance it's a . . . gulp . . . Larson Bros.?

[MikeEdgerton]

Any chance it's a . . . gulp . . . Larson Bros.?

Not a chance.

[MikeEdgerton]

I actually think it's an early to mid 30's Harmony made in Chicago. I can't find one with the same pickguard right off but this catalog page is pretty close.

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...=1#post1227069

[vanguard]

So would the rosewood back/sides be solid wood or laminate if it were a Harmony or Regal?

[MikeEdgerton]

Most likely solid, the question is really is it really rosewood? Folks were doing some great faux finishes in those days. If it's the same inside as outside it probably is and Harmony used solid woods up into the late 60's. With that said these don't bring a ton of money no matter what they are made out of.

[vanguard]

If it's playing well and sounding good, is it worth $150?

thanks again!

[MikeEdgerton]

Maybe $200.00. Do a happy dance if you can get more than that.

[vanguard]

I'm looking to buy it at $150

[MikeEdgerton]

If you like it go for it.

[vanguard]

Sure enough, painted on "grain" that was actually worn away in spots, lol. Spruce top was all bowled in in the pickguard area. In short, a real basket case. Thanks again for the help, you guys were spot on.

[MikeEdgerton]

Another satisfied customer

Good luck on your search.

[Jim Garber]

I agree with Mike's assessment and would just throw in additional observation that it reminds me of other Supertonish mandolins which would certainly fit into the Harmony family resemblance.

Headstock os slightly different but here is a Supertone from Elderly years gone past.

[rcc56]

Looks like what's generally called "unlabeled Regal" or "Chicago mandolin" around here. Both terms are used pretty generically, and may also be used on instruments that may have been made by or for Schmidt or others as well [yes, I know Schmidt was in the NY area, not Chicago]. Whoever the true maker might have been, it doesn't have much of an effect on the value of the instrument.

Definitely NOT Larson.

[Jeff Mando]

Any chance it's a . . . gulp . . . Larson Bros.?

No, but even if it was a Larson, it is a mandolin, NOT a guitar........

But, sure, a pearl-encrusted Larson harp guitar is something to get excited about and can bring $10K plus. A jumbo body acoustic guitar recently sold in the neighborhood of $35K, but Larson mandolins don't seem to bring anywhere near that.

However, I agree it would be cool to own one!

[pops1]

It looks a lot like a Supertone that I had. Pickguard is identical in shape to the Supertone.