Serial number: 97986

Year shipped: 1944

FON: 7621 H7 (the 7 is written in red ink and the 2 is faint)

Headstock: Horizontal ‘Gibson’ script logo with no dot on the ‘i’

Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end and narrow block inlays from the first fret. Wide neck heel

Body: 17-inch body with maple back and sides and large bound f-holes 

Hardware: Gold-plated metal parts including Varitone tailpiece and Kluson Sealfast tuners with Catalin buttons

Notes: For this serial number, 97986, the 3rd digit of the serial number could be an 8. The guitar has been refretted and has a reproduction pickguard

This guitar is one of 17 Sunburst finished Advanced L-5s shipped in 1944

Images courtesy of Chris Miano (General Manager, Tall Toad Music)