This is a rare early fretless banjo from the antebellum period. The wooden rim is a single ply and measures a whopping 14-1/2" in diameter. The metal hardware is all forged iron and completely in tact. The neck features a scroll peghead and all of the finish is original. There appears to be either a repair to the peghead or else it was originally scarfed. Although the tuners and tailpiece are not original, this banjo is well preserved, playable and of museum quality.