Classic-Banjo

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CE clipper 2nd number _ an idea ?

I would like to know if you have an idea about what could be the 2nd number ( back of the head )on some Clifford essex banjos mod " clipper " . ? ?

I have one with this particularity ( the number do not match at all the serial number of the perch pole )

and same thing for this other one here :

Comment by marc dalmasso on April 11, 2012 at 20:17: i answer myself to my question , or at least , i say an hypothesis that i believe possible ; i think this number ( back of the head ) is factory stamped , but not originally ; this number was stamped later and proove that the banjo came back to the CE ' store to be re sold 2nd hand ; In fact , i have 2 banjos ( a clipper & a special ) with , both , this 4 digits ' number stamped on the back of the head and these 2 banjos were upgraded ( one with a CE armrest & reso , the other with a CE armrest ) ; my idea is that mainly the entry & middle grade banjos came back to the CE store because thir owners wanted to buy a top of the line ' model ; so , may be , the CE Co used to upgrade the banjos with some accessories they had in stock at the time , to make them attractive and sold them ( prooved by the numerous lists of 2nd hand instruments on BMG ' magazine )

detail : my clipper has the factory serial number on the DS + this 2nd number like the clipper on the link above ; however , my CE special has no serial n° on the stick and this n° back the head

It would be great to have the opinion of Richard & David about this hypothesis