Help identifying an old banjo

[wrhitejr]

I know this is a mandolin forum, but the admins suggested I start here. I have an open back banjo with a number 44 stamped in the ring, and May 2, 1899 carved in the support on the backside. It might be a Fairbanks or Stewart, but there is no name anywhere on the instrument. It belonged to my friend's great grandpa and the 1899 date fits. Any assistance in identifying the maker and appropriate pricing would be greatly appreciated!

I can provide more photos, just can't figure out how to load them here!
Thanks in advance,

Rick

[wrhitejr]

[wrhitejr]

[HonketyHank]

I know you can find better help than me at banjohangout or banjocafe, but I'll just throw in that the date is not inconsistent with the style of the banjo (lots of hooks and a spun-over rim). The tuners are relatively recent though. The absence of a maker's name or logo indicates it is probably a jobber instrument, what we might call oem or private-label. Those are often difficult to pin down. It does look like a nice banjo.

[wrhitejr]

Thanks. I wasn't aware of banjo cafe. I'll check it out.

[s1m0n]

Interesting that the body is wooden within and metal without.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Take a look at the 'Banjo Hangout' as well - lot's of very knowledgeable folks on there,
Ivan

[Jacob]

"Interesting that the body is wooden within and metal without."

That design is now called a spunover rim. The style apparently dates from the mid nineteenth century.

[Tobin]

Thanks. I wasn't aware of banjo cafe. I'll check it out.

Banjo Cafe no longer exists. It was shut down a few weeks ago. But the Banjo Hangout would definitely have someone who could identify it, if it can be identified.

[Roger Adams]

Banjocafe is alive and well.

http://www.banjocafe.net/

[Jeff Hildreth]

This may be of some assistance:


http://www.mugwumps.com/


FYI.. Phillips head screws date to 1937 or later.

Blasphemy ! Exchange for slot heads immediately or the Classic Banjo Police will be after you.

[MikeEdgerton]

Banjocafe is alive and well.

http://www.banjocafe.net/

The website is there, the forum has closed.

[wrhitejr]

The owner replaced those screws.

[Jim Garber]

The key to IDing the maker might be the hex shoes which are probably original. Check out this archived page on the banjo hangout. It sound like the banjo was made by one of the larger Chicago makers like Lyon & Healy and sold by a store like Sears Roebuck or some other catalog store.

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I might have jumped the gun a bit on this. It is very possible that the banjo was made by L&H in Chicago since they made a ton of instruments for stores and the like. OTOH I have seen those hex nuts on Boston-made Vegas from a later period, so the hardware may not be a conclusive clue, tho it is still possible.

In any case, I believe this is a budget banjo since I think it lacks a tone ring.

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On the third hand I believe that this could have been made for Sears Roebuck. Take a look at this Supertone that Jake has on his website. The headstock shape is very similar and it has the hexnut shoes.

[Roger Adams]

The website is there, the forum has closed.

Noted! Thanks!