Lovingly defined as cannons, we are pleased to have this wartime Martin D-28 dating to 1946. While no words need to be said on how fantastic these instruments are, we are selling it in as-is condition from the estate of the third owner who had purchased it in 1963 or '64 and played it daily. The guitar was purchased from Jimmy Maynard in Lebanon TN, where the guitar had been used to perform in the Grand Ole Opry, playing it with Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys. Jimmy Maynard had purchased it from Shot Jackson of Sho-Bud in Nashville. It had a large pickguard on it when it was purchased from Maynard, which covered most of the top. Factory repair work had been done by Martin in 1970, as well as more casual repairs which will be discussed below. A fairly transitional period for Martin, this example is constructed out of a Sitka spruce top with very straight grained Brazilian rosewood back & sides. This is a final year for the standard herringbone binding, which appears in good condition. As mentioned, the guitar was sent back to Martin in 1970 - at which point some structural issues were handled resulting in a refinish. A deep hole from flat picking was filled with additional spruce near the pickguard and treble side of the bridge, as well as the original bridge having been replaced (the original is included in the sale). In its current state, it has three pickguard cracks - two running parallel nearest the first string (one cleated internally), the last adjacent crack near the waist (two very common spots). Small nicks dings and elbow wear are present in the finish along its edge, again the binding strong and in good condition. The current bridge has began to lift, resulting in the bridge pin holes feeling tight when removing the pins themselves. Cracks are present in the rosette, and there is one more troubling crack coming from the fingerboard extension on the bass side. Internally, this features the non scalloped, rear shifted X bracing - complete with original thin maple bridge plate. Checking is present in the current finish, the top is mostly flat with a slight belly behind the bridge, and slight shrinkage near the soundhole. The Brazilian rosewood is exceptional with nice straight grain, complete with marquetry zipper - a mild shrinkage from the binding is present but completely attached. The back shows a few cracks which have been sealed on its treble side lower bout - internally additional bracing was added to function as cleats. The neck is constructed out of mahogany with an ebony fingerboard with MOP dot inlay. While it does not appear that the guitar has had a neck reset, it is possible given the overspray - but in its current condition it would be best for it to have the neck reset. Taking a straight edge from the end of the fingerboard extension to the bridge shows a displacement of about 1/8". The current saddle had been compromised to alleviate the action, which still runs high. In its current state, the saddle measures about 4/64" visible above the slot on the bass side, tapering down to just a sliver above the slot at the first string. One will note that frets are not seated properly at the fingerboard extension, beckoning that these frets be reseated, or it be refretted. The frets are not original and show virtually no wear - a question best left to the next owner. A hole for a previous strap button was filled on the bass side heel, a current strap button installed on the treble side. The neck itself has a very comfortable C profile, the depth measuring .83" at the first fret and tapering to about 1.02" at the ninth. It has a standard 1 11/16" nut width, and 25.4" scale length. Some finish is worn down at the volute (likely from a capo), but the remainder of the neck profile is very clean, less a very small nick towards the bass side of the fifth fret. The back of the peg head shows four small filled holes. Original open gear Waverly 5038 "Yoda head" tuners present and fully functional with expected visual wear. Tuned up, with 11 gauge strings to alleviate some strain on the body - the action measures about 9/64" in height at the twelfth fret of the sixth string, and 7/64" on the first. The neck is mostly straight with a non adjustable ebony rod. Includes later 50's era hard case