Rare small sized example from H. C. Dobson, the eldest of the famous Dobson brothers, who filed a patent for his improved Silver Bell banjo rim in 1881, redesigning the rim "as a flanged, dome-shaped ring made from sheet metal (what we now call a tonering) that when viewed from the inside indeed resembled the inside of a bell." ("America's Instrument", Bollman/Gura). This example from the Golden Age of banjomaking, features a 9-1/8" diameter rim assembly w/ famous aforementioned tonering, and original metal parts but for a few shoe scews; original 1887 patent tailpiece. The 22-1/" scale mahogany neck has an ebony fingerboard, and celluloid heel cap; Dobson frailing sheath. The fretboard has celluloid dots, with 1-1/4" nut width; equipped with Champion friction peg, with later fifth. Dowel stick was reset at some point for better angle (small notch at end, with newer bracket for endpoint mount; surface wear present on wood parts, and light tarnish.