This model was introduced as far back as July 1935 but underwent changes in design, placement of controls, composition of the five screwed-on face plates, and number of strings. This configuration has the integral molded-in frets which, starting in 1938, were outlined on each side of the fret with what was probably white but is now crème color. It has a glossy black peghead and at the top is the metal logo plate which reads "Rickenbacher Electro, Los Angeles" and in the center is a starburst with the initials "RE" in it. Tuners are open-gear and unsigned, but original, with ivoroid buttons. There are two control knobs on the lower treble bout - the bottom one is crème color and the top one is black and they each of opposite color markers on their top to allow the player to know the position. The black knob has a raised plastic legend around it that reads "1 through 6" and "Volume," while the white knob is also numbers "1 through 6" and reads "High" on one side and "Low" on the other. The condition of this example is remarkable. It is a time capsule (although the case is not). The metal two part cover over the powerful magnetic pickup on the face has a legend of "Pat No. 2089171."
In the 1930s this model had 5 chrome plated cover plates; in the late '30s this was changed to black painted metal plates and in 1940 this was changed to white painted metal plates. In 1939 Rickenbacher changed the knob configuration so that both knobs were finally on the same side of the guitar, and in the late '40s some examples of this model were made with white plastic plates. This model was discontinued in 1955.
As examples of prewar Rickenbacker lap steel goes, this one is a superstar. It's amazingly clean and fine and great sounding.