Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Clues to mystery banjo mandolin - Oscar Schmidt?

  1. #1

    Default Clues to mystery banjo mandolin - Oscar Schmidt?

    The one definite marking is "PAT MAY 20, 1913" which I found on an Oscar Schmidt banjo uke and a Sovereign banjo mandolin. The patent wording is at the bottom of this post.

    Bone nut is 1 1/8" with 0 fret, scale is 14", 10" pot is 1/2" thick made from three layers of steam bent oak topped with an ?aluminum? tube mounted on studs which is the bearing edge for the tight fitting 10" Rogers calfskin head. The neck heel is mahogany, pot stem oak, not sure of the rest of the neck wood. You can see trim on oak painted over with dark stain.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030246.jpg 
Views:	108 
Size:	642.5 KB 
ID:	176890

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030247.jpg 
Views:	84 
Size:	427.6 KB 
ID:	176891

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030248.jpg 
Views:	91 
Size:	638.4 KB 
ID:	176892

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030251.jpg 
Views:	99 
Size:	567.0 KB 
ID:	176893

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030253.jpg 
Views:	113 
Size:	544.0 KB 
ID:	176894

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030254.jpg 
Views:	103 
Size:	349.7 KB 
ID:	176895

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	P1030252.jpg 
Views:	101 
Size:	305.5 KB 
ID:	176896

    Published May 20, 1913 in Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office, Volume 190

    1,962,509. NECK FOR BANJOS OR THE LIKE. OSCAR SCHMIDT, Jersey City, NJ. Filed Jan. 11, 1911. Serial No. 601,976. (CI. 84-123.

    sketch

    1. A banjo, comprising an apertured rim, a neck having a shoulder engaging the outer face of the rim, an inclined guideway on each side of the extensionof the neck adjacent to the said shoulder, a wedge formed of side arms and an apertured connecting cross bar, said wedge straddling the extensions of the neck and engaging the guideway and the inner face of the rim, and a screw padding through the aperture of the cross bar into the extension.

    2. A banjo, comprising an apertured rim, a neck having a shoulder engaging the outer face of the rim and an extension engaging the outer face of the rim and an extension projecting through the aperture of said rim and proveded with an inclined groove in each side adjacent to each shoulder, a wedge formed of spaced arms having inwardly extended flanges and a connecting cross bar provided with an opening, said wedge straddling the extension of the neck with its flanges in the said grooves, and a screw passing through the aperture of the cross bar of the wedge into the extension.
    1989/2019 Ike Bacon/Barry Kratzer F5
    1945 Levin 330
    192? Bruno (Oscar Schmidt) banjo-mandolin
    early Eastwood Mandostang
    2005 Tacoma CB-10 acoustic bass guitar
    Fender Tweed Deluxe clone

  2. #2

    Default Re: Clues to mystery banjo mandolin - Oscar Schmidt?

    The identical instrument is on ebay, identified as a Bruno. " golden BRUNO crown design sticker"

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/26438091967...m=264380919670

    edit - actually one difference, mine has a zero fret
    Last edited by Greg P. Stone; Jun-29-2019 at 11:21pm.
    1989/2019 Ike Bacon/Barry Kratzer F5
    1945 Levin 330
    192? Bruno (Oscar Schmidt) banjo-mandolin
    early Eastwood Mandostang
    2005 Tacoma CB-10 acoustic bass guitar
    Fender Tweed Deluxe clone

  3. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Clues to mystery banjo mandolin - Oscar Schmidt?

    Bruno was/is a distributor, not a manufacturer. They put their label on instruments from a variety of suppliers.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Clues to mystery banjo mandolin - Oscar Schmidt?

    I'm not sure that zero fret is original to the instrument. There is something funky going on there.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. #5

    Default Re: Clues to mystery banjo mandolin - Oscar Schmidt?

    Yep, I think you're right. Can't imagine why it was added though.

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I'm not sure that zero fret is original to the instrument. There is something funky going on there.
    1989/2019 Ike Bacon/Barry Kratzer F5
    1945 Levin 330
    192? Bruno (Oscar Schmidt) banjo-mandolin
    early Eastwood Mandostang
    2005 Tacoma CB-10 acoustic bass guitar
    Fender Tweed Deluxe clone

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •