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Thread: Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

  1. #1

    Question Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

    This was my great grandfather's from the early 1900s. It has no labels or numbers. The only identifying features I can notice is the symbol up top. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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  2. #2

    Default Re: Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

    It is probably a product of one of the Chicago makers and the most likely one is Lyon & Healy, a company that had many brands, the most well-known being Washburn. However, the comapny made instruments for a host of third party retailers and this may well be one of them as Washburn mandolins normally sport one and sometimes two labels but they often did have a motif on the headstock which is the case with yours. I am sure others will find features that help pinpoint the maker for you.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

    Thank you for the feedback. That's generally what I've been looking at but I'm trying to find one that mat had the artwork on it too. Much appreciated.

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

    It appears to be similar but not exactly the same as the 605 in Jim Garber's now famous Lyon & Healy catalog page. Below. I think it's an L&H product, closer to 1920 than to 1900.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. #5

    Default Re: Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

    You see those tuner units in the 1890s and 1900s but they have brass whereas these are steel plate versions, so it may be further in to the century as you suggest.

  6. #6
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Early 1900s Mandolin. NEED HELP IDENTIFYING!

    It's not just the tuners, it's the tailpiece as well.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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