This poor girl came to the home severely distressed. Someone had the temerity to drop it on its end, or otherwise not pay attention. It is currently in the capable hands of luthier Steve Morrill to repair the seam separation and several small cracks, likely as a result of the neglect. Apart from a hairline crack, the top appears to be in good shape.
From the original ad
This one has a serial number of 599 which is found on both the paper label and ink stamped onto the inside rib, and was probably built in 1918. (Another L&H mandolin #681 is also dated as 1918.) This model was introduced in 1917 which is also the same year that the fancy tailpiece like this one has was introduced. This particular mandolin has a 13-3/4″ scale length and the desirable “stairstep” peghead design found only on early Style C mandolins. In 1921 the scale length was shortened to 13″ and the peghead design became quite plain, so this one was certainly made sometime between 1917 and 1920.
All repairs have been completed by the estimable Steve Morrill, and this little number sounds great. For some reason the tailpiece is a little loose; maybe a little felt underneath will anchor it in place.
SOLD
