Regal Mandolin ID help please

Yes I searched before I decided to post a question. Okay with that out of the way I have been away from playing mandolin for a while and saw this Regal and thought for the money why not get back in to playing. The price is reasonable but I just want to know a bit more about this model before I decide to buy it. I know the history of Regal but have never come across one with the rounded triangle, non oval (for lack of a better term) sound hole with a raised pick guard. Any help in getting an ID will be appreciated.

Attachment 202018

Headstock and logo
Attachment 202043

Show us the tuner units. Regal began using Kluson tuners in the late 30s. That pickguard shape was on a number of their mandolins from the mid-30s onward. I have not seen that sound hole shape before but I would reckon the mandolin is late 30s or early 40s but more photos would help.

Bob Carlin's Regal book shows a post war mandolin- that is different but with that headstock decal. Likewise, this mandolin which is also different but its suggested date is 1945-50.

https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-mandolin.html

Kay made a jumbo guitar in the early 50s with a "bell-shaped" sound hole which describes the aperture quite nicely.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NickR

Bob Carlin's Regal book shows a post war mandolin- that is different but with that headstock decal. Likewise, this mandolin which is also different but its suggested date is 1945-50.

https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-mandolin.html

Kay made a jumbo guitar in the early 50s with a "bell-shaped" sound hole which describes the aperture quite nicely.

---

Thanks for the link, interesting. Here are a few more pictures. I do not think that the tail piece is original and neither is the bridge which is off for repairs to the top. Yes I know one of the tuners is bent. It has brass bar frets, which I am not sure how I feel about.


Ended up getting it for $50 with a chipboard case, so at the very least I have in interesting project.

Attachment 202103Attachment 202104Attachment 202101Attachment 202106Attachment 202107Attachment 202108

It looks pretty cool to me. I'll be interested in how it sounds.