Grandfather's mandolin...any ideas what make this might be?

[fewines]

Hi everyone. My father was a local bluegrass and southern gospel musician here in South Carolina (his musical career spans from the late 40's to the early 80's). I have two of his instruments and one of them is a mandolin. The other is an acoustic Gibson J45 (I think) that he bought either in 48 or 49. The mandolin was his father's and I know my dad played it when he was a kid and during the earlier part of his musical career when he was a member of "The Hired Hands", a bluegrass band that was pretty popular in the 50's and 60's around here, from what I understand. I have looked all over the internet and cannot find a mandolin exactly like mine. From my very limited knowledge (thank you Google) it looks like a faux shutt. There are no markings and its a bit beat up but sounds amazing (with the strings that are on it...don't know why it doesn't have all 8 strings, but it's been wrapped up and hidden away in a drawer for several years). This seems to be the right place to come and find out what I can about it. I would appreciate any info!!!

[billkilpatrick]

lucky you! - looks a bit like a wappen mandolin, though its "f" sound holes are traditional. when you get it tuned up, please post a sound sample.

i had a pre-war, gibson j45 when i was a kid - they're special.

[mrmando]

It is a Shutt copy by Harmony.

[fewines]

Great, thanks guys for the info!

[Jake Wildwood]

It is a Shutt copy by Harmony.

And probably late 1930s.