This mandolin has US made hardware. The original case is interesting as its latches appear to be made from plated or better metal than was the norm and the case is made of a higher quality fibre than a typical Reliance case of the time. I have seen 1930s Clifford Essex guitars with Grover tuners although in the main, British makers used German hardware but for more expensive instruments, they may have turned to the USA.
The instrument was "constructed to withstand climatic influences" which means it could go to anywhere in the Empire and function although the English language Hofner catalogue from the 1930s goes on to say that this is done using plywood! An attractive looking instrument but I will not be coughing up £675!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1920s-Cli...IAAOSwU1dfXUTM
Bookmarks