Help with identifying this mandolin

[Ellsdemon]

Don't know much about it, besides my mother in law purchasing it at a antique shop. She paid roughly $200. Any info that I can pass along to get would be great. It's got a great tone. Thanks

[HonketyHank]

from the serial number it appears to be a Martin style A, 1923. Nice mandolins. $200 is a very good price. Worth maybe $500 currently (?).

[bennyb]

Well, you'll have to wait for the knowledgeable folks to opine, but it looks like mahogany back, sides, and neck. Spruce? top, looks a little "funny", besides all the marks and discoloration. The Martin/Nazareth stamp on the back of headstock can't have escaped your attention?
benny

Edit: I was dawdlin', while hank was typin'.

[MikeEdgerton]

It is a mahogany back and sides, spruce top. The tuners are probably worth as much as she paid for the mandolin, maybe more. I sure as heck don't hang in the right shops.

[BradKlein]

That is a Martin Style A mandolin. I haven't looked up the date, but it's early 20th century. Not extremely valuable, but a VERY nice instrument.Folks will chime in with suggested values. Very well made, and fun to play.

[Peter Coronado]

BTW, that Blue Chip pick sells for $35 new. If she got that, too, it was even more of a bargain.

[Mark Gunter]

Otto, that's a beautiful patina on that old rascal! Is mother-in-law a player, or is she just getting interested in mandolin? Or maybe a gift for her son-in-law? All the best to you guys.

[Ellsdemon]

Blue chip pick is mine. She bought it purely I the thought it was a good bargain. I'm trying to get her to give to me though. ��

[MikeEdgerton]

It was a bargain.

[soliver]

Well isn't that good luck!

Very cool!

[Jeff Mando]

The Martin/Nazareth stamp on the back of headstock can't have escaped your attention? .

I was thinking the same thing. Or the stamp on the inside? I did buy a Martin uke at an antique shop once for $25 bucks or so because the name was stamped on the back of the peghead and I assume the seller didn't see it. STRANGE, but I can't imagine an antique store seller without a magnifying glass. I also can't imagine an antique seller who hasn't heard of Martin or Gibson.....and I can't imagine an antique seller who doesn't look up everything online before pricing it............let's see, old Martin guitars are selling for $40-75K, I think I'll price this mandolin at $200, since it is smaller than a guitar...........the logic doesn't gel, to my way of thinking. Congrats on the good deal!

[allenhopkins]

Around a quarter of the going market price for an early Style A. Envy envy. My 1918 Style A is a sweet little mandolin; bet this one is tool

[mrmando]

Well, let's not overlook the huge spot of finish wear on the lower bass bout and the crack in the top, but $200 isn't bad even considering the condition.

[Mark Gunter]

Well, let's not overlook the huge spot of finish wear on the lower bass bout and the crack in the top, but $200 isn't bad even considering the condition.

From the photo it appears that the spot on lower bass bout is not finish wear, but discoloration due to body oils that penetrated the finish. That would be my guess. There looks to be finish worn away from the treble side below the scratch guard.

Edit: Apology, closer look says it's gone through the finish there and even made some ruts between the grain, you're absolutely right.

I still like the patina, looks great IMO

[ollaimh]

i like those martin oval hole flat backs for celtic. loud and sweet. great deal. i love the martin tiple as well but hard to intonate, i got a 1936 tiple in excellent condtion once for 300 canadian. unfortunatley i was broke and a guy offered me 800 and i needed the cash.

[BradKlein]

Well, let's not overlook the huge spot of finish wear on the lower bass bout and the crack in the top, but $200 isn't bad even considering the condition.

Yes, it's a nice mandolin, but would likely bring only $450 or so on ebay. These martins are undervalued, if they are what you are looking for. I wouldn't think that the Martin factory could make them today for less than $1000 retail, and probably 50% more than that. Their most basic traditional Ukulele is $500+, and ukes are substantially easier to build than a mandolin in almost all respects.

[William Smith]

Great deal on a good horn! Those arrowhead tuners are prized for one. I must've bought 10 or so circa 24 banjolins with those tuners, one just needs to change out the posts!-Great I'm giving away a secret, no but I know someone who is using the parts and trying to make Loar F-5 tuners out of em, it's been like 10 years so is it going to happen?????????

[Jeff Mando]

Lotta tuner lust on this forum..........just saying..............

[Phil O'Dendron]

I also have a couple of new additions to the household which I'd like to identify. Both the A style mandolin and the banjo mandolin bear 3 digit numbers. The mandolin has '836' stamped in black ink on its' heels and has a truss rod. The banjo mandolin has '865' stamped into the wood spreader bar which spans the tone ring.
Any thoughts would be most welcome.

[Ellsdemon]

Thanks everyone for the info, much appreciated

[BradKlein]

Just a post-script. HERE is a similar instrument in somewhat better condition, but with slightly less 'desirable' tuners, I suppose. Asking price of $600, including shipping. I have no direct experience with the instrument.