1914 Martin Style 2 Mando Poor, $400.00

We’re never quite sure as to what model numbers to assign to these wonderful, eartly-19th century Martin mandolins, as the specifications and numbers changed so often back in those years, but this one is quite nice and quite intact. It was made in 1914 and is most likely a Style 2, with 26 Brazilian rosewood ribs, a genuine tortoise-shell inlaid pickguard. Style-42 abalone fingerboard inlays, Ivoroid tuner buttons with beautifully hand-engraved backplates for the tuners. The tailpiece cover is also hand-engraved. The action is excellent, with minor fret wear, and there is one older, unrepaired top crack, and it is in extremely solid condition throughout. On the underside of the top, hand-written in pencil as was the order of the day, is #4446/12/17/14/FHM FHM was Frank Henry Martin, who was leading the Martin Company at that time. The serial number is also visibly stamped into the neck block, still done on Martin instruments today. No case and offered as is at $400