Thimbles

[Ray Jones]

This old Patent is interesting, but I'm a bit worried about the position of the 5th Peg.

[Trapdoor2]

Mr. Barnes' banjo solves the age-old problem of getting your mustache caught in the 5th string tuner when using the peghead to scratch your noggin. Moving it south provides plenty of room!

[Joel Hooks]

Nah, this is a four string banjo with an eye bolt screwed into the side of the neck.  The second part of the patent (determined not to be patentable) is a piece of cord or rope that is tied to the eye bolt.  It then passes up and through a pulley attached to the ceiling.

The other end is secured to your foot and the whole thing doubles as an exerciser.  The patent office decided that it was to similar to the Sandow exerciser and would not grant Barnes the patent.

All at that was left were the claws. 

[Jody Stecher]

Well *I* think figure 2 is a Special Banjo Hat.  The player can wear it either atop his head or force it down so the base rests on his shoulders and his face peers out the opening. Then it becomes a Banjo Helmet.

[Trapdoor2]

Hmm. Looks like a Mitre...perhaps you could proclaim yourself "Banjo Pope". You get a pretty cool little car and a chauffeur too...

[Joel Hooks]

On a serious note, does anyone have any evidence that these were actually manufactured and marketed? More importantly that people bought them and used them.