Can anyone identify this banjo mandolin?

[JayPHunt]

Can anyone tell me what this banjo mandolin is, its age and approximate value? It appears to be of East European oriigin, possibly East German or Polish. It may be from the 1960s.

Anything you can provide would be helpful.

[rcc56]

It appears to be what is known as a "zither banjo." I believe that most zither banjos were made in the UK. I don't recall seeing many mando-zither banjos.

What does it say on the label on the peghead?

[NickR]

It is almost certainly a Reliance/George Houghton instrument. The case is definitely a Reliance made case. Here is one sold on ebay as a Reliance/George Houghton instrument:


Here is one from the 1930s. In the 1930s George Houghton & Sons- GH&S chose the "lion couchant" as the company's logo:

https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-mandolin.html