Old Kraftsman - but what year

[auriemma]

My mom found this a a flea market down near Tampa, FL. Seems in decent shape. The seller said he was told it was a 1947 when he bought it. I'm leaning towards mid-50's to ealy 60's. It has L1603 N1 stamped faintly inside. I know Old Kraftsman was sold by Kay to Speigel for catalogue sales. She will be here in 3 weeks.

Any ideas what around when it was really made?

[auriemma]

It looks like the tuning posts and frets are brass. The tuners are stamped "KLUSON DELUXE". You can faintly see the L1603 stamped in the sound hole. They are looking for patent numbers on the tuners.

[auriemma]

Wow... a week and not even a nibble.