I have what may be a period banjo, or at least a "transition" instument. It has a wooden pot, and the "fretboard" has no frets but slots cut as markers for the fret positions. There are eight eagle motif brackets, four with wings up, four with wings down. It has a old calf skin head, most likely late replacement. (a similiar one is in the Atlanta History Center). A metal plate has been placed over the first four frets. I took it off and found that the neck had been nicely lowered to accomodate the plate. I have been told it is period, and some say it is later. The plate, I am told, is something occassionally seen that aids in left hand work for "old time" music. (I play a distant cousin of this style). If anyone out there can help me place this instrument relative to time frame, I would apprecate it.
Joe Walker
Joe Walker
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