Note the 'flow through' engraving on the coverplate of this example, often the coverplates are unengraved.
This 1932 instrument, with MOTS heastock was the most ornate instrument in National's product line. Only the guitars were made in a style 4, all other instruments had the model 3 as their most ornate style.
Celluloid fingerboards are featured on several Nationals from this period, we have also seen them on George Beauchamp's style 0 and an 8 string Hawaiian tricone. (Both owned by Bob Brozman)
For more on Celluloid (also known in the vintage guitar world as MOTS, for mother of toilet seat), please visit the wikipedia entry by clicking HERE.
We are hoping for more pictures of this instrument, so look here again soon. No prizes for identifying that sales brochure picture on the case top!
This spectacular instrument was played by Hugh McCracken in the movie "The last days of Frank and Jesse James(1986)"
Many thanks to the owner, Ron Leejack for the pictures and information.