Help in identifying a Gretsch

[Rustybeard]

My sister-in-law has an old Gretsch from her ex. I did sine research and have found no serial number. No pencil markings inside a and nothing on the headstock. I have sucked a few photos for reference. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[emgee254]

Early Model 35? (Image has slightly different shoulders, different headstock logo and changed tuners.)

 

[tartanphantom]

Look for a serial number possibly stamped on the end of the headstock. That's frequently the location on many pre-war and early post-war Gretsch models.

like this--

 

[Rustybeard]

I checked for this and there is no trace of any markings there. It does not appear to have been refinished either. I appreciate the picture as I wondered what that would look like when I read about it.

 

[tartanphantom]

Paging @Wayne Gretschzky -- he knows more about instruments from this era. If it was a Kay-built war-time era Gretsch, it's possible that the number was simply penciled inside the body, visible (or not) through the f-hole. a dental mirror may help. both Kay and Harmony were notorious for doing this at one time.

 

[afire]

Would a Kay or Harmony Gretsch have a headstock inlay like that?

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @Rustybeard !

 

[ChloeDogsDad]

Oh man! That headstock inlay! Love it! I don't know what model, so I'm no help, but thanks for posting pics!

 

[6187LX]

It's pre-war. It'll be in the 1939 catalog. Another time I miss the resources on the old GDP.