cbcarlisle - Posted - 06/11/2014:  23:19:47

Found an interesting old paddlehead Buckbee, originally flushfret. This is one of my favorite types of banjos and this one has been through the wars. At some point it was partially fretted (an easy enough job) but a two-fret section of the fingerboard (at the fifth peg) was replaced. [Naturally, I will de-fret it and insert fillets.] The common type clad pot has had its complement of brackets doubled by the addition of eagles - two types - mostly upside down. The plain, knob brackets are clearly the originals since they have regular screw holes. The eagles, on the other hand, have been "inconsistently" placed, sometimes twice. The hooks and nuts of the knobs and eagles are also different metals. [There is a problem if I remove the eagles: multiple holes around the pot. But they will come in handy on other banjos.]

The tailpiece is a great example of country ingenuity: it is made from the metal scale of some type of milk thermometer. (Notice the notations of "32  freezing," "62  churning," and, at the top edge, "86  cheese.") But the most personal information of all is the signatures on the inside of the head. The first picture shows "George H Williams, June 25th 1892" and drawings of a foot and a leg. The next has "April 19 1893" and the initials C M(or H) P(?). The last image reads "Harley M Wellman April 15th 1894 South Canaan Conn." At last there is enough information to identify him. Born about 1867 in Massachusetts, he would have been 27 when he signed the banjo. His wife's name was Mary, he stayed in the area and worked for a clock shop and factory as a clerk and machine operator. He was still alive in 1930. I would imagine the other names were from the same vicinity but information is lacking. [I think I will replace the head for playing and save the original framed.]

Edited by - cbcarlisle on 06/11/2014 23:23:26

etparadox - Posted - 06/12/2014:  02:17:27

What a treasure. I just love old banjos like this with a story to tell. It's cool you were able to find record of one of the past owners. A lovely find to be sure. 

Mark Ralston - Posted - 06/12/2014:  02:52:50

Nice find ! ! ! 

pgroff - Posted - 06/12/2014:  04:15:28

Great history there -- not only the original build features, but also how the instrument was used, repaired, customized, reworked by the player(s).

Since you seem to plan pulling the unoriginal eagle brackets, frets etc, to restore more of the original specifications, it's great that you documented those modifications that show how the banjo was used over the years, and shared them with us.

Edited by - pgroff on 06/12/2014 04:17:52

mipake - Posted - 06/12/2014:  05:04:31

Interesting Banjo
It is almost identical to one I just purchased . Same neck with flush frets and round dowel. It was advertised as a Bruno. Mine has 24 brackets which have shield design shoes with hooks and nuts identical to your eagle brackets. My thought is that mine is an earlier banjo made during the American centennial. Your eagle brackets are from the same period.

Ernest M - Posted - 06/12/2014:  07:34:24

I would leave it just as it is. The historical value to me seems to come from the its history, not as it came from the factory.

cbcarlisle - Posted - 06/12/2014:  08:29:12

EarnestM,

  I am wrestling with the same urges but I really would like to clean it up, have it playable, and not just another exhibit in my clutter collection.

Noah Cline - Posted - 06/12/2014:  11:54:12

A Buckbee I recently restored had "Jack" written on the inside of the head, but there wasn't anything else written. Hoped to find a date somewhere written on it, but didn't.

That tailpiece is really interesting.

I'd leave it as is. It makes it look interesting with the different brackets, nuts, and hooks.

Edited by - Noah Cline on 06/12/2014 11:56:29