Help me identify this guitar (Montgomery Ward & Co)

[WGTroutman]

Hey friends,

My uncle gave me this guitar last week. Apparently it was my great-grandmothers. All I know is Montgomery Ward sold instruments back in the day kind of like how Sears and Roebuck sold instruments. Past that I know nothing about the guitar.

It's solid wood, has some damage from being too dry (I think), some of the binding has come off the fretboard, and a gear is missing from one of the tuning pegs.

I'd like to get this guitar playable simply because of family sentimentality, but I don't know if this is an "I'll try and fix it myself" guitar or an "I should take this to a professional" guitar.

Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.

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[WGTroutman]

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[HHP]

Hard to say but it is obviously a very early Ward model and was probably sourced from one of the better makers at the time.

[ricklt]

Montgomery Wards sold National, Supro, Kay, Harmony and Silver ones. Maybe more. If you research those brands you may be able to figure it out.

[David M123]

While I know next to nothing about the Department Store guitars of that era, I'd say it is very cool and worth having. But I doubt it's monetary value would justify sinking a lot of money into it. Sentimental value is something only you can measure.

I don't see any obvious cracks to the top or back, so that's excellent. Just the kind of wear that comes from actually getting played.

Assuming it's in good playing shape otherwise (i.e. neck angle is good and action is OK), I would replace the missing tuning gear, glue the binding back in place (assuming you still have it - you didn't say), make sure it's properly humidified going forward and enjoy playing it in memory of your great-grandmother.

[mtdmind]

Have you tried looking into old Ward's catalogs? I thinking it's worth repairing especially it being passed down from your family and it's appears in pretty good shape. My search of Ward's catalog #57, page 244 describes it originally sold for 12 dollars, with a solid rosewood back and sides and solid cedar soundboard and neck.

[Rockysdad]

From what I've read is , Recording King started as the "house brand" of Montgomery Ward in the 1930's.
Maybe contacting Music Link might be some help, they are the company that now owns Recording King.

[John Arnold]

Probably Chicago made. It is worth pro level repairs....the back and sides are Brazilian rosewood.

[383roller]

It may be hard to pinpoint an exact maker, I'd start with a mirror and comb the inside carefully. Nice wood, it would be worth x bracing it for sure.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by John Arnold

Probably Chicago made. It is worth pro level repairs....the back and sides are Brazilian rosewood.

John said it before I could. The Brazilian rosewood on that guitar would cost many thousands of dollars today, if you could even find it at all. It's absolutely superb wood.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Yrksman]

Looks like a little piece of heaven to me!

[Tico]

Sweet!

Jealous here.

[zombywoof]

Without eyeballing it, this is only a guess but that might be an 1890s Montgomery Ward "Windsor" American Conservatory guitar built by Lyon & Healy. They originally sold for around $14.

[Tico]

I'll give you $15 for it.

[rmsstrider]

Beautiful guitar, beautiful wood. I would take to a good luthier for evaluation.