This picture was taken circa 1910. It is my great grandfather, Cape Charles Casper of Gates County, NC playing his banjo at the age of 18 or 19 years. I’ve been trying to identify what make and model he’s playing but I haven’t found one like it, yet.
Any help would be appreciated.
It looks like a Chicago make from around the turn of the century. I'm leaning towards JB Schall, but I just can’t tell with 100% confidence.
Blaine
PS. For anyone who cares to know, he served in the 6th infantry regiment during The Great War. He saw combat in pretty much all the major offensives involving the United States from February 1918 when he disembarked in France all the way through the armistice and the occupation in 1919.
Edited by - tbchappe on 09/18/2024 02:56:28
I'd say it's probably an SS Stewart.
quote:
Originally posted by HerbMeisterI'd say it's probably an SS Stewart.
It's definitely not an SS Stewart.
I would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
quote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbonI would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
In looking at this Sears Roebuck catalog page from 1910, it looks a lot like "The Ruby".
Which would mean that that banjo was likely only a few years old in that picture.
Blaine
quote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbonI would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
My first instinct was Lyon & Healy.
the headstock shape and bottom inlays are similar to a thompson and odell i had. Im trying and failing to find pictures, but when i do ill send them.
quote:
Originally posted by kylebthe headstock shape and bottom inlays are similar to a thompson and odell i had. Im trying and failing to find pictures, but when i do ill send them.
I'm interested to see that!
quote:
Originally posted by tbchappequote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbonI would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
In looking at this Sears Roebuck catalog page from 1910, it looks a lot like "The Ruby".
Which would mean that that banjo was likely only a few years old in that picture.
Blaine
Inlay is very different.
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooksquote:
Originally posted by tbchappequote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbonI would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
In looking at this Sears Roebuck catalog page from 1910, it looks a lot like "The Ruby".
Which would mean that that banjo was likely only a few years old in that picture.
Blaine
Inlay is very different.
It's really the closest I've found. Mostly looking at that upside down crown at the nut and the peghead shape.
I'm grasping at straws here.
Blaine
quote:
Originally posted by tbchappequote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooksquote:
Originally posted by tbchappequote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbonI would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
In looking at this Sears Roebuck catalog page from 1910, it looks a lot like "The Ruby".
Which would mean that that banjo was likely only a few years old in that picture.
Blaine
Inlay is very different.
It's really the closest I've found. Mostly looking at that upside down crown at the nut and the peghead shape.
I'm grasping at straws here.
Blaine
Unless I can positively ID something I tend not to guess or grasp at straws.
In this case, I am getting Gretsch vibes, but I cannot with certainty say "it is a Gretsch".
quote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooksquote:
Originally posted by tbchappequote:
Originally posted by Joel Hooksquote:
Originally posted by tbchappequote:
Originally posted by Andy FitzGibbonI would say Rettberg & Lange, or maybe Lyon & Healy.
In looking at this Sears Roebuck catalog page from 1910, it looks a lot like "The Ruby".
Which would mean that that banjo was likely only a few years old in that picture.
Blaine
Inlay is very different.
It's really the closest I've found. Mostly looking at that upside down crown at the nut and the peghead shape.
I'm grasping at straws here.
Blaine
Unless I can positively ID something I tend not to guess or grasp at straws.
In this case, I am getting Gretsch vibes, but I cannot with certainty say "it is a Gretsch".
I do when emotions are involved
Blaine
quote:
Originally posted by Joel HooksUnless I can positively ID something I tend not to guess or grasp at straws.
In this case, I am getting Gretsch vibes, but I cannot with certainty say "it is a Gretsch".
Gretsch did do the Stewart-esque peghead now and again, so that's another decent possibility.
My gut reaction was R&L.
Something about it makes me think Haynes "Bay State".
update, i was wrong above, its not like my old thompson and odell , besdies one of the inlay shapes.
