Is this a Gibson L1??
 

I have inherited what seems to be a 1913 Gibson L1. It had a bad repair job done in the past and i am currently restoring it. The serial number is written in pencil (15952), but what has me confused is inside the guitar, on the heel, below the dovetail 1899 is lightly stamped. is this a date?? Does anyone know if this is a date?? Photos are attached to this link.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gzrm1HZri5EL1JvX2

Definitely newer than 1900. 1913 looks about right, given the body style and the headstock logo.

Thanks Charlie. Everything seems to point to 1913. I'm just curious about that 1899 stamp. Do you know of any others from that era that are stamped on the heel like that?

I used to have what I thought was a 1915 L-3 and yours looks very similar.

See this http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson2.html#l1

Lots of good images and descriptions, but I do believe that even experts can be confused by the earlier round hole archtops as L1,2 and£ were all 13.5" wide.

Mine had the "cremona brown finish - remarkably like this :


I wish I still had it. I think Loudon Wainwright got mine.

Yes sir, i have seen that link in my research as it it is one of the only bits of info that i can find. I have been surprised at how little information is out there.

Also, at some point in the past, someone has brushed a finish over the original finish, and very poorly done i might add. I have the skill set to strip it down to the bare wood and spray it. It would look very nice, but how would it affect the value?

The 1899 is an L899. This makes more sense, but still can't find any info. Anyone have any idea?

Serial number seems correct range.

The 1899 makes sense, as this would be the correct FON for 1902-1916.

https://reverb.com/news/how-to-date-...fons-and-logos

Agreed, thinking 1913. All repairs are made on the body and varnish is stripped. I'm in the process of sanding her down now. Photos have been added to the link. i'm going to stain it original color and thinking of spraying it with Lacquer?? Any input on lacquer or should i use something else?