Bit by bit

From a Muscovite poster on MandolinCafe:

Well, most of soviet instruments made at the end of 80s beginning 90s were completely unplayable. Except very rare occasions. There were many political and economical reasons for that. Long story. But on the other hand they have significant historical value Because, mandolins were relatively rare thing in SU. Mass production was only on one factory in Leningrad, and not much of them were produced. Only classic bowelbacks were produced. Most of pro players do not use them anyway because Czechoslovakian mandolins (now Strunal brand) were available and were better. So keep it. It is rare thing :)

This contrasts with a previous Bulgarian poster who told me that tons of mandolins were made for the Western tourist trade, but those were plastic flatbacks and often sold at the big shops near the hotels meant for tourists. My brother also writes that the shop where he bought it had only a few, he thinks, not a whole string of them lining the walls.

He's visiting the U.S. in September, so we're going to wait for him to come peer into the body and read the label. In any case, this is just getting more and more interesting. Playability still up in the air, but the current plan is to buy a gig bag, bring it back to Chicago, and spring for a setup. Even if it's meant for a wall, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have it fixed up, though I suppose that if it really is completely unplayable there's no point in having the bridge in the right place covering the little church picture.