Buddy of mine came across this 1905 C. Bruno and Sons 12 string small concert body something- guitar(?), tiple, huarango, octave mandolin??? What is it? Bad photos, label inside says "The Vernon", mahogany body & neck, spruce top, slightly oval sound hole, fretted neck, solid, simple headstock w Gibson-like volute, and what I think, might really determine its identity- nut set up in four groups of three string slots with six on a side gear and shaft tuners. Pdf version of their 287 pg 1890 catalogue doesn't show it, go round and round with other websites and reference articles, history of Bruno, etc, some examples of mandolins, classical bowl backs. Interesting he partnered w the original CF Martin at the outset and stayed in NewYork and became a well known and large musical instrument dealer if not maker or actual luthier.
Is there such a thing with that string spacing or nut set up in Portuguese, Italian or Celtic music? It was found in Rhode Island where a lot of the first two but not so much the last group of people settled.
I'd appreciate any info or corrections. Might be a diamond in the rough or just a curiosity.
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