With a little help from my (UK) friends

[marc dalmasso]

I would like to identify this banjo i buyed from ebay in 2004 . It has the typical tension hoop + tailpiece on the tension hoop with 2 screws like the Clifford essex ; but i am not sure at all it is a CE .The pot is 10 inches . There is no brand or serial number ; just the name of the original owner . The metal parts are not nickel but chrome but i think it could have be done later
. there are the dots on each fret on the side of the neck like if the banjo was originally a fretless ' one .I have the resonator but it is
not original from the instrument ( too big ) Here ' are some pictures
.If somebody have an idea . Thanks

[David Wade]

Hmmm. London maker for sure. The neck is probably much earlier than the hoop. Chrome plating didn't come in until the '20s, this neck is 1890s. The top band (bezel) is not what you would expect either. If we knew who Louis Coles was it would probably help. I can tell who didn't make it....which doesn't help. Willie Temlett might be a good guess?
Dave

[marc dalmasso]

Thx dave ; i forgot to precise , the vellum original from the CE factory has the " new compton St " adress , without doubt from the same period than the bezel . another detail éric noticed : there are 2 screws attaching the metal neck brace with the perch pole ; i have never see another banjo with this detail

[David Wade]

Good point Marc, I would only expect to see one screw in the wedge plate. Dunno....
Dave