Inherited and no manufacturer markings on this 2-point mandolin

[erichall]

My father passed recently and I got his mandolin. He was 88. He got the instrument from his father who had claimed to have won it at a poker game. Anybody seen one like this and possibly know vintage or maker? I am loving its tone. It must be 70-80 years old.

[pheffernan]

It looks to me like a Shutt/Harmony model like this one listed in a wanted ad on the Cafe classifieds:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/140295#140295

[erichall]

Wow! Yes, it does look like that.

[MikeEdgerton]

It was made by Harmony in Chicago circa 1920-30, maybe a little later. Look inside with a flashlight and see if you can see a stamped number that has an F or S in front of it like F-24 or S-30.

Harmony and most of the other Chicago builders built many instruments "for the trade" with no labels. That way a retailer or teacher could claim them as their own brand. Some even pasted labels inside.

[erichall]

There are remnants of a sticker that have no writing and no stamp that I can see. Thanks for the information on the vintage.

Eric

It was made by Harmony in Chicago circa 1920-30, maybe a little later. Look inside with a flashlight and see if you can see a stamped number that has an F or S in front of it like F-24 or S-30.

Harmony and most of the other Chicago builders built many instruments "for the trade" with no labels. That way a retailer or teacher could claim them as their own brand. Some even pasted labels inside.

[MikeEdgerton]

Here's an ad where they were being sold at Sears.

[erichall]

That is so cool. Where on Earth did you find that Sears catalog? What year is it?

[mandotool]

The best info currently available online about Albert Shutt can be found here..
http://www.harpguitars.net/history/s...on-members.htm
Sorry for your loss...

[William Smith]

Very Nice depression era mandolin! So these were inspired by Albert Shutt's earlier teens mandolins correct? I believe he was the first one to use F-holes and the elevated fretboard right? Never played one but I sure would play it and ejnoy her!

[MikeEdgerton]

These were built by Harmony, there was some sort of connection but they weren't built by Albert Shutt unless Harmony had him working in the factory. I'm guessing it was a business arrangement of some sort, more of money for a design.

There is an entire Social Group on the Cafe with vintage catalog pages. When we see them we grab them and I'm not sure of the year of that ad.

[NickR]

Harmony did not start date stamping until 1932, so it is probably before that date. Here is another Supertone catalogue from the 1920s. The top is the cheapest- the bottom is the Shutt "Viol" mandolin.


Shutt!

[Timbofood]

I really love these threads! The amazing collection of knowledge constantly amazes me!
Thanks guys!