This mandolin was an early F-12 model built in 1934, and according to shipping records initially left the factory 18 July, 1935 as a "sample" with Gibson salesman Clarence Havenga. It returned to the factory as unsold inventory several times until it departed a final time on Thursday, 5 March 1936, for Francis Fenimore in Vineland, New Jersey. At some point in the mandolin's life, the top was refinished black (the finish certainly appears old), and California luthier Chris Berkov made the conversion neck. The original hardware (including the pickguard) is long gone, but there is a period-correct nickel tailpiece cover and Waverly tuning machines included with the mandolin. The current gold hardware was installed by Skip Kelly, along with the James tailpiece. As far as previous repairs, there is an old crack repair under the E string that is stable and not particularly noticeable. Comes in the original hardshell case.