Over a number of years I have acquired 3 mandolins which spend most of the time on a wall although they are perfectly playable - they're not as loud as my main mandolin, so are mainly decorative. I'm curious if any of the Mudcatters can tell me about them. There is a jpeg at
photo here
Despite the perspective, they are all the same size, approx. 25 inches in length, 2 & 1/4 inch deep and scale length approx 13 inches. The right hand one is labelled "DRGM English Patent Applied For" and "Viennese College Of Music". The others are unlabelled. Machine heads on all are bone/brass stamped DRGM 186662. I understand that DRGM means a German Patent. The pickguards are bone/tortoiseshell but I expect both are imitation. Wood appears to be spruce and maple except the left hand one which appears to have a rosewood (-ish) back and sides. Rosewood or similar necks.
When I bought the first one (rightmost) I was led to believe that it was circa 1920's/30's and was possibly made by a migrant (post-war) worker coming to the UK from Europe. There was an assumption that it's smaller size and 'flat' design made it suitable for music students as a 'second instrument' in the sense that a chalumeau (spelling?) was often a second inst. for clarinettists.
I have seen 2 others 'in the wood', so to speak, one with another music college label, and also those of you with a copy of Steeleye Span's 'Below The Salt' will see one on the cover. I've also seen several guitar shaped bodied ones - same neck etc. obviously from the same era/source - but these have all had a large transfer picture on the back (original not later additions) usually of a lady. She is clothed (!) but I can't remember anything of the costume to help me with the dates. Having said that, it (the transfer) seemed more of a Victorian thing to do so maybe they're a bit older than I thought.
Any thoughts - preferably sensible but knowing Mudcatters..... - would be helpful
Thanks folks, Nick