Here is one of the few harp guitars made by Martin in the early 20th century. Serial number 9392 was shipped to Grinnell Brothers in Detroit on April 18, 1902. It was based on the then relatively new 000 size body.

Martin made harp guitars with either 10, 12 or 16 strings. One was even made with 18 strings.

The guitar has ivory friction pegs instead of tuning machines. Wood bushings, into which the friction pegs were fitted, are visible on the back side of the peg head.

Style 21 features:

Back and sides: Brazilian rosewood

Top: Red spruce (probably West Virginian)

Purfling: Lines

Binding: Rosewood

Sound hole decoration: Herringbone

Backstripe: Herringbone

Other period features:

Two necks

Light X-bracing

Ebony fingerboard

Ebony pyramid bridge (for 10 pins)

Slotted square Japan pearl fingerboard inlays

Ivory friction pegs

Serial number stamped in top of peg head (as well as on neck block)

“C. F. Martin & Co.” stamp in back of the head stock

No style stamp

Photos courtesy of Elderly Instruments