This is a "Golden Autoharp" manufactured by Oscar Schmidt expressly for The National Autoharp Sales Company which marketed them mainly to school teachers between about 1950 and 1963. The serial number, 5317, indicates that it was manufactured in the 17th week of 1953.

As Don pointed out, there is a visible split in the top which makes this instrument useful for spare parts or for kindling.

Bev and Jerry