One of the most sought-after antique banjos for contemporary players, this is a fine example of Henry C. Dobson's Silver Bell tonering in-action, featuring a slotted peghead w/ geared tuners, with carved ebony dowel stick, with a powerful sound. The 11" diameter pot is spun-over, with black painted interior, and original carved ebony dowel stick (three small inlaid metal circles present on back of stick, with slight chip); mostly original hardware (incld. 9 replaced nuts), with original No Knot. The rosewood neck has a slightly short 25-3/4" scale length fingerboard, with initialed metal frailing sheath, which extends over the head; nut width just proud of 1-3/16, about 1-7/32"; sharply angled slotted peghead and 7th string pegbox with original geared tuners, one of the more desirable build specs for examples of this banjo; some finish chips present on peghead top, with other light surface cosmetic wear/tarnish to metal parts, extremely light hairline separations on heel probably a result of neck screws have been secured with glue.