Remarkably clean Gibson H-2, originally designed for the viola voice within a mandolin orchestra, built in 1916 and shipped the following year; rich/attractive tone, with a ton of volume at your disposal. The fully bound A style body measures 11-3/16" wide on the bout, with reddish stained maple back and sides, with straight grained spruce top in sunburst, bound oval soundhole with herringbone/ivoroid rosette, shiny engraved tailpiece cover (repro tailpiece with original in case pocket (one broke nub)), original tortoise pickguard with patent clasp, and non adjustable ebony bridge; good arch present with no structural repairs or concerns, there are some dings/scuffs/play-wear/scratching present, with slight binding shrinkage mostly around heel area. The 15-3/4" scale three piece maple neck has an early V profile, fully bound extended ebony fingerboard with only mildy worn original frets (intonates well), 1-5/16" wide at nut, with The Gibson and fleur de lis in pearl inlay on peghead overlay, and sporting a lovely set of Handel tuners; a great playing example with nice straight neck, there is some wear present on back of neck from playing. Includes original hard case.