This instrument is an early 14-fret D-18 guitar. As this guitar was made prior to September 27, 1934 it has the ebony bar neck reinforcement and bar frets.
A total of 57 regular D-18 guitars were made in 1934; 32 with an ebony neck reinforcement and 25 with a steel T-bar neck reinforcement and T-frets. This instrument is the 24th D-18 guitar made that year.
The tuners are clipped-plate Grover G-98 machines. The guitar also has the early type 1 Martin decal that was in use from 1932 to 1934. It also has a Martin stamp on the back of the headstock; a feature that was dropped shortly afterwards as the decal was considered sufficient identification.
This guitar was shipped to Fred Leithold Piano Co. in Lacrosse, Wisconsin on September 12, 1934.
Photos courtesy of Jim Brown
