- Excellent + Condition
- Year: circa 1930s
- Includes Hard Shell Case
- Serial #: 28403
30022
This is an extremely rare, original five string Silver Bell banjo and is featured on page 720 of Banjos: The Tsumura Collection-1920-1940. The banjo is in spectacularly original condition with only the head and strings being replaced. It is marked No. 1 on one side of the dowel stick and SPECIAL on the othe side. It features a fine, curly maple neck with long carving which extends to the 10th fret. The fingerboard, peghead, rim, and resonator back are appointed with finally decorated golden pyralin. The banjos metal parts are engraved but are in original nickel plate, which is an unusual feature for a style 4. It also has nickel plated tuners with large, mother of pearl buttons. The ‘f’ hole flange is the two step style and of course it has the original five string Oettinger tailpiece. There is no knee mute assembly present. The scale length is 26 inches and there is minimal fret wear. The original owner was James C. Bowers and his name is engraved on the armrest and on the plate on the back of the resonator.
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