Gibson A Model: Finished date?

[Daniel76]

Hey everyone!

Longtime lurker here. I’m hoping someone might me able to help me find the date for a Gibson A mandolin.

It belonged to my great grandmother and it had been passed down and to me about 10 years ago.

The serial number is - 68083 guessing it's 1921?

Back when it was new -



A little later on in life -



A few new friends -

[rcc56]

Going by the serial number lists in "Spann's Guide to Gibson," that serial number would indicate an instrument shipped in 1922.
Because of the lack of a truss rod, I would estimate a slightly earlier assembly date, perhaps 1920 or 1921. It is a plain style A.

My grandmother [born in 1890] had a mandolin, but I don't recall ever seeing it. When my aunt cleaned out the apartment, she sold it without telling anybody in the family. I wonder what it was. Oh well . . .

[Daniel76]

Excellent!

Thanks for the info!

I really like the sound of it and with my F5 it's nice to have a little variation. I play mostly old time fiddle tunes, so it works pretty well!

Before my grandpa passed away he talked about her playing it at home a lot. My great aunt played it for many years, too, after my great grandma passed away.

I feel fortunate and thankful that it came to me. I am sorry to hear that your grandmother's mandolin was sold...