Lloyd Loar, 1905. What instrument is he holding?

[Jacqke]

I came across a photo I'd like to share. I'm hoping someone might narrow down the instrument the Lloyd Loar is holding. The picture is from the 1906 Oberlin College yearbook the Hi-O-Hi. I believe Lloyd to be in the back row, far left.

No captions or identifications are given for the photo, but he was identified in newspaper articles as having been the head of the mandolin club for 2 years. I am identifying Lloyd by comparing him to his photo with the Fisher Shipp Concert Company from a c. 1911 brochure, in which he's holding a Gibson F-2.

[Ray(T)]

Looks a bit like a Martin but I'm no real expert.

[zookster]

I also think it's a Martin.

[Jacqke]

That is my first guess so far too. I know someone out there must be in the know about old Martin mandolins...

[Ray(T)]

Possibly a "Style 4" made between 1898 and 1914.

[Todd Bowman]

From the looks of the cutout at the top of the headstock, it looks like a Martin Style 4. Here's a website with some reference photos:

http://www.vintageinstruments.com/mu...l4fulpage.html