Early blacktop mandolins

[wdrysd]

Were there early (pre '25)varnish finished blacktop Gibson mandolins, or have they all been lacquered?

Inquiring minds... etc.

[sunburst]

Gibson didn't use lacquer until 1925, or perhaps 1924. Anything before that would be varnish of some sort other than lacquer, and there were black top instruments well before that.