Summary
1904 manufacture date (traditional estimates)
1904 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson
Mandolin, Style F2
Serial 3263
Factory order number unknown
Description
3-point body style. Pumpkin top. This mandolin has no pickguard inlaid, though evidence that there was once a clamped style one attached. Prior to documenting 3264, it was thought that this was evidence that the top was a replacement.. now I'm pretty sure it isn't. The fingerboard looks more like a teens.. the finish color does as well. I think the fingerboard was replaced circa 1911, and maybe the top was re-done in orange then too. There aren't many examples from this range in the database, so it's hard to really know yet.
Stamped serial number. Original red-lined hardshell case (larger than a later F2/F4 case) in good condition. Tailpiece cover is pineapple type with a hole near the top. "The Gibson" inlaid in large script on peghead, handel inlaid tuners. Tailpiece base appears to be a later replacement (12 hooks instead of 8 stamped ones)
Some red marks on the scroll are from the case.. the color seems to be not very fast in the fabric and has rubbed in over the years.
Unusually for an F2, the fingerboard is bound
Dan Beimborn
