This mahogany bodied German archtop model 463 with ornate purfling was introduced in 1951. It has a solid spruce top, one piece ribbon mahogany back and ribbon maohgany sides. The body size is 16", the neck is five piece (maple, mahogany, maple, mahogany, maple), and it has a 25.5 scale length.

Note the ebony, height-adjustable, compensated bridge with adjustable fret-wire inserts, the Hofner Logo gold decal on upper bass bout, and the clear pickguard. These are just a few of the ornate details that differentiate these guitars from their competitor's.

This model is hand-dated (as viewed with a dentist mirror) on the underside of the top 24.10.61. (October, 1961) which tells us the body was made in late 1961 and the guitar probably left the factory in very late 61 or 1962.

Sources: www.vintagehofner.co.uk