nburf

Thanks for the reply! I did go through that register and this one: http://www.bannergibsons.com/registry.html I guess I got a bit confused by the one you linked and based my assessment on the following lines: 1943 Range generally 9xx to 22xx, depending on the model. 1944 Range generally 22xx to 29XX, depending on the model, some with no FON. But like you said the FON also fits with: 1600-xx to 2999-xx 1938 to 1940 Maybe I'll never get closer than knowing it was probably during the war due to the wood tailpiece. Maybe it was old stock or a mashup hence the logo? The neck heel is also kinda interesting, looks more like a 30's heel than a later flat wide one to me.

Hello, Long time lurker first time poster. I've recently become the owner of a ww2 era gibson l-50 and wondered if you guys and gals could help me pin point a year. FON seen through the f-hole is 2863 or possibly 2838, a previous luthier has scribbled - 3 on the end of it in ball point. From looking at some war time fon registers online it looks to be about 1943/44, but the logo looks earlier? Bridge is a replacement I believe. There's been some top drop in the past but the braces have been secured tight and crack free and it plays clean and straight with low action. Great guitar, sounds fantastic and definitely has been awesome value for money with the solid back and sides on a 16". I've linked some images. https://imgur.com/a/K3PXfDv