Very unusual, very attractive, unsigned fretless banjo, probably built in the 1870s; incredible, dark, rich tonality. Most notably, the mahogany neck sports a really cool metal plate with fret impressions until the 5th or 6th fret, back to wood with marquetry fret marks, and is capped with another metal plate in frailing area. The peghead is slotted, has geared tuners, and appears to have had a repaired crack at some point, but is solid now. The brass rim measures about 12" across, with unusual tension-held star-shaped-shoes and probably later tension-held tailpiece; F&C style neck adjuster (probably later). 1-1/2" wide at nut, 24-5/8" scale