They have a website which I believe gives their history and Washburn offers a free Oscar Schmidt catalog with the history of that company.Basicly,they once had six factories turning out musical instruments in large numbers that were sold largely in rural locations in the south in general stores,furniture stores and by traveling salesmen.
Lots of early African American blues players used that brand.Today,it is a brand name for Asian made instruments distributed by the Washburn folks.
Malcolm