B.M.G. Vol1. No1.

[Richard William Ineson]

I recently received a copy of the front cover of the very first B.M.G. magazine. The cover shows a 3 octave five stringed banjo which has the every appearance of being made by Alfred Weaver, but we cannot be certain of this. The hoop is said to be 10.5 inches in diameter and the price is £10/10/0 (ten pounds ten shillings, or 10 Guineas) converted to modern UK decimal coinage this is ten pounds and 50 pence, and this, if converted to take into account inflation since 1903  is approximately £1050.00 in 2025.

[Joel Hooks]

And interestingly, the first appearance of the Special (wood hoop) is in issue Vol 3, no 25.   That is not to say that this was when they were introduced, but I could find no mention in the issues before this one. 

I learned that the metal tailpiece on both of my Specials (wood and metal hoop) was called a "simplex pressure bar and tail-piece". The hardware, hooks, nuts, brackets, tailpiece, tailpiece bolt, are all identical on both Specials that I have. 

My Metal Hoop was not made by Weaver, is 11" with a 3 octave neck. I believe that my examples made after Weaver stopped making banjos for CE.  My wood hoop is very similar to the halftone in the advertisement, leading me to believe that CE was already moving away from Weaver in 1905, though he continued to supply metal hoop specials. 

[Russ Chandler]

What makes you think Weaver might have made it, Richard?

[Richard William Ineson]

The banjo illustrated has all of the characteristics of a Weaver banjo (Weaver didn't recommend a hoop of less than 11" but did make them when requested; he made few banjos with 22 frets but I've seen one or two over the years). Weaver made banjos for the Essex and Cammeyer partnership at 59, Piccadilly, these sometimes bear a brass plaque on the perch pole, embossed with, "Made expressly for Essex and Cammeyer". Many of the  Clifford Essex 'Special' model of banjo, are known to have been made by Weaver until 1906 when he ceased to make banjos for anyone else. The 'Special' model was made by other manufacturers, probably after this date. All of this was covered very extensively in a previous discussion here on Ning, earlier this year, I think.

Russ Chandler said:

What makes you think Weaver might have made it, Richard?

[Steve Harrison]

Hi Richard, my Weaver has 22 frets, I bought it from Clive Hughes around 20 years ago who I believe obtained it from you. It has the square bracket nuts indicating that it may be an early model. It's looking its age but still plays and sounds great. The only thing I've had to do to it is to replace the frets....Steve. 
Richard William Ineson said:

The banjo illustrated has all of the characteristics of a Weaver banjo (Weaver didn't recommend a hoop of less than 11" but did make them when requested; he made few banjos with 22 frets but I've seen one or two over the years). Weaver made banjos for the Essex and Cammeyer partnership at 59, Piccadilly, these sometimes bear a brass plaque on the perch pole, embossed with, "Made expressly for Essex and Cammeyer". Many of the  Clifford Essex 'Special' model of banjo, are known to have been made by Weaver until 1906 when he ceased to make banjos for anyone else. The 'Special' model was made by other manufacturers, probably after this date. All of this was covered very extensively in a previous discussion here on Ning, earlier this year, I think.

Russ Chandler said:

What makes you think Weaver might have made it, Richard?

[Joel Hooks]

Given the data we have, there is no reason not to believe that the halftone image is of a Weaver made Special (only hoop-at the time).

Weaver wrote that he made these special sized banjos (10.5") with a three octave neck.  This size, with 22 frets, was introduced by S. S. Stewart in 1893 for Alfred Farland who was pitching his at D for more brilliancy.