I never heard of a Macaphari but it's plausible. Django played about the right time and could have used a resonator guitar to play his style with a full band.

Dobros were originally made by the Dopera Brothers (DoBro)to give more volume to Hawaiian guitarists. The two brothers had fight and one left to found National guitars. Nationals (as far as I know) were always steel. Dobro made both wood and steel. In the thirties Dobro's steel guitars were covered with a coat of paint, usually an olive drab color. In those days they made resonator everythigs, I've played a National steel mandolin which sounds great.

Speaking of price, I bought my Dobro in 1985 before they started showing up on rock album covers. Beleive it or not I paid $200. The Dobro bass we bought new and it was tres cher.