Globe
Tru-Fret

This Ukulele was made by Globe Musical Instrument Co. in the 1920's in St. Charles, Illinois and is one of their most seminal Ukuleles; the "Trufret". The reason it was seminal is because it came with a one piece metal fretboard that included built in frets. This was, I believe, the first Ukulele to do this and so is the forerunner to all of the Harmony and Kay, el at, plastic fretboards of the 60's, and the MFC types of today.

When it arrived it was spectacularly dirty, but apart from that, (and no strings; and the world war two artwork on the back), was in fine shape with no age related structural or cosmetic issues. The fretboard was loose though so I got the chance to see what was under it, (nothing! just raw wood), and had to glue it back on