Via Joe Spann, Gibson scholar at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, January, 2016:

"... guitar is a 1916 model L-1 which was returned to the factory in 1935. I am in possession of a digital scan of the 1935 Gibson shipping ledger which proves this statement. From an examination of the photos it is clear that the guitar needed a major rebuild. The top, bridge, pickguard and neck were all replaced with the 1935 style components."

"- The original top would've been of the 'oval hole' variety. The new top has 'f-holes' and clearly was something originally intended for a model L-50 or L-75 in 1935. It is interesting that the serial number was transferred over in pencil, as to be readable through an f-hole. A careful examination of the interior may reveal the original guarantee label, glued to the center of the back on the interior."

"- The original neck would have featured a slanted mother-of-pearl 'TheGibson' logo and the 'open-book' style peghead. The replacement neck has a truss-rod (introduced in 1921) and a straight "Gibson" logo of the type seen in the L-50 models in 1935."

"- It appears that the original fingerboard (with white binding) was retained."

"- The compensated bridge currently on the guitar is of the type seen in the mid-30's. The earliest compensated version would have had two feet, which this bridge does not."

"- The original tailpiece was retained."

"- The guitar was also sunbursted and refinsihed in lacquer at the time of the rebuild. The original finish would have been varnish, not lacquer. The typical lacquer checking may be seen in the photos you provided."

"According to the Gibson shipping ledgers this guitar (L-1 serial #33427) was repaired and returned to Mr. J.A. Comeskey on July 18, 1935 in a #409 case.. I suspect he lived in Garrett, Indiana."

"According to my best estimates, the original guitar would've shipped in February of 1916."