From what I've figured out through further Googling, it looks like this is a "Globe 7," which was produced in the '90s, and this one is probably from the second half of the decade. It seems that the earlier ones ('93-'95 or -'96) came with Sachs 7-speed hubs (and frames made in Italy), and the later ones with Shimano. I think, looking at the shifter and linkage, this is Shimano. Am I right about that?
Long fenders = better coverage and less schmutz thrown onto you. Front looks funky, I agree, but it was a Globe thing.
Yeah, that really is weird, but apparently that was the factory spec. I'll be curious to see if it works better than an ordinary front fender.