Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Looking for help with bowlback mandolin identification

  1. #1

    Default Looking for help with bowlback mandolin identification

    I picked up both of these for what I believe was a decent price. They are in really good shape, old, but lack any sort of label.

    I believe both mandolins are Oscar Schmidt. From what I can tell, the butterfly was used often by OS, as well as the very clear OS inlay on the other mandolin.
    But both are significantly different instruments.

    The apparently lesser quality instrument has the bridge positioned just behind the cant. Also, underneath the cloud tail piece there appears to be stamped '1060'. That's the only number I can find on either mandolin at this point.

    Anyone have any thoughts on who made them? I can't find much on the Oscar Schimdt company. I've read what I can find on here and other sites, but it's left me confused as to a) was he an actual manufacturer or b) was he a dealer that sold other mandolins a la Vega, Washburns, etc of the time.

    As far as playability goes...the butterfly one needs a new bridge, it curves in the middle. The one with the OS deadens about half way up the finger board.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211120_160835.jpg 
Views:	89 
Size:	681.1 KB 
ID:	197672Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211120_160842.jpg 
Views:	77 
Size:	543.5 KB 
ID:	197673Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211120_160948.jpg 
Views:	67 
Size:	468.2 KB 
ID:	197674Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211120_160938.jpg 
Views:	61 
Size:	260.7 KB 
ID:	197675Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211120_160933.jpg 
Views:	60 
Size:	351.3 KB 
ID:	197676Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211120_160853.jpg 
Views:	55 
Size:	293.9 KB 
ID:	197677
    Zachary Graft
    Celtic and Christian fiddle and mandolin music
    zacharygraft.com
    facebook.com/zacharygraftmusic
    youtube.com/c/zacharygraft

  2. The following members say thank you to zgraft for this post:


  3. #2
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ann Arbor/Austin
    Posts
    6,277

    Default Re: Looking for help with bowlback mandolin identification

    Well, the upper mandolin in your first photo is certainly an Oscar Schmidt. As you've IDed O and S superimposed on the scratchplate.

    I'm not so convinced that the other mandolin is from OS. What makes you think so besides the farfalla?
    The butterfly motif was fairly commonly in use both in Italy and the US on mandolins scratchplates.
    Favilla, also there in NJ used available scratchplates featuring a more refined butterfly inlay.

    The shape of the two bowls of these mandolin is quite different, which might suggest a different origin as well.

    OS made a lot of instruments, so could readily have made this as well...I'm just hoping to see some more uniquely identifiable characteristics.

    While the other mandolin has very familiar basic traits, such as the headstock, binding and fretboard inlay, I'll say I've never seen that scratchplate, nor a tuner cover that is so closely sized to the dimensions and shape of the headstock.

    I'll be interested in what others think about the progeny of this one.

    Mick
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

  4. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to brunello97 For This Useful Post:


  5. #3
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Looking for help with bowlback mandolin identification

    I agree with Mick. Also, assuming the scratchplate was original, I don't recall ever seeing a white one with that shape on a bowlback and the butterfly inlay is a bit unusual as well. Is that back shot of the OS or the butterfly? Can you post some pics of the butterfly: the bowl from a few angles and the back of the headstock showing tuners and neck join?
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  6. The following members say thank you to Jim Garber for this post:


  7. #4

    Default Re: Looking for help with bowlback mandolin identification

    Here are a few more pics. Hopefully this helps. I was hoping you'd have some thoughts. In my research, I've came across quite a few of your posts where you lend your expertise, Jim.


    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211123_202006.jpg 
Views:	51 
Size:	186.9 KB 
ID:	197766Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211123_201947.jpg 
Views:	49 
Size:	311.2 KB 
ID:	197767Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211123_202025.jpg 
Views:	54 
Size:	206.8 KB 
ID:	197768Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211123_202015.jpg 
Views:	52 
Size:	213.8 KB 
ID:	197769Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20211123_202038.jpg 
Views:	57 
Size:	358.7 KB 
ID:	197770

    I have not been able to find a butterfly on a white pickguard online anywhere. Nor a finger board that's so ornamented. I did find a Washburn with a plain white pick guard, but that's the only one I've seen of those also.
    Zachary Graft
    Celtic and Christian fiddle and mandolin music
    zacharygraft.com
    facebook.com/zacharygraftmusic
    youtube.com/c/zacharygraft

  8. #5

    Default Re: Looking for help with bowlback mandolin identification

    It looks to me that white scratch plate is perhaps a replacement, given it's rough edges and cut around the butterfly.

  9. The following members say thank you to vic-victor for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •