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Gibson Special #5 made in Kalamazoo, MI in 1940. Serial number 802 F - 36. I have located this instrument in the Spann book indicating it's nomenclature, year of production and the number of production in the batch. The Special #5 was distinctive instrument made available at Christmas only to dealers. I imagine this one being sold at Christmas as a gift and given to a young man before eventually going off to war, maybe having some time to play it before leaving for duty or later playing it upon his return. It is very clean and completely original including the tuners, tail piece, pick guard with hardware, Brazilian Rosewood bridge, truss rod cover and black nut.The guitar is essentially the same shape as an L-50 but features a higher finish grade as well as maple back and sides and a deep carved back. I have seen other #5's with a flat back. This one is quite dimensional. The top is nicely arched and the parallel kerfed braces are tucked nicely into their interior liners. The top, back and sides have a special amber sunburst finish that is not seen on other production instruments other than the rare small bodied first year production L-75. Overall, it is a nicely preserved piece of distinctive Gibson history almost 85 years old. The neck is unbound and the Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard shows some wear on the first several frets. The guitar plays and sounds good having a 1 11/16" nut and string height at the 12th fret being 4mm on the base side and 3.5 mm on the treble side with room for adjustment at the bridge.Included with the sale of the guitar is a firm fitting vintage hard shell case with crimson colored plush lining. The case is in good working order but missing one latch and has a replacement handle.48 hour approval on all guitars and ampsPearl Guitars, Portland Oregon