Gibson A model Heel Cap Gap.

[Bazz Jass]

Newly acquired plain Jane model A circa 1918.

Notice a gap between the heel cap and heel as in thee photos. Just enough to slip a dollar bill in.

Is this an issue? Action is good, and strung with light gauge strings. Gap is still there with no string tension, and can't be "squeezed closed." I realise the heel cap is actually an extension of the back, just didn't know how else to word it





Thanks,
Bazz.

[sunburst]

A small amount of strength in the neck joint is lost with the cap-to-heel joint loose, but some A-style mandolins had heel caps that were not part of the back at all, so there should be as much strength here as in a joint with the applied heel cap, so it's not really a big deal structurally.
My experience with those is; it can be glued and clamped shut, but it is likely to open again. A thin, well fitted shim of matching wood glued and clamped in place has been a better and longer lasting repair in my experience.

[rcc56]

All that John said . . .
I will add that it would be a good idea to inspect the instrument for other loose glue joints, specifically at the top brace, and at the top and bottom of the neck block.