Hi everyone!
I recently acquired an old five-string banjo with the name Barnes & Mullins, London on it. I’m completely new to banjos and musical instruments in general, so I don’t really know what I’m looking at!
The banjo has a metal back/resonator that appears to be made of aluminium, covering the entire rear of the instrument. The fifth string is attached partway up the neck, as on a traditional five-string banjo. The only marking I have found so far is “Barnes & Mullins, London” (with what looks like a “W” or possibly another letter at the end).
I’m hoping that some of the more experienced members here might be able to help me identify it.
In particular, I’d love to know:
* Approximately when it was made.
* What type or model of banjo it is.
* Whether it was made by Barnes & Mullins themselves or sold under their name.
* Whether it has any particular historical significance or collector’s value.
* Whether it is a relatively common instrument or something unusual.
I know very little about banjos at the moment, so any information, suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m happy to provide more photographs or details if that would help.
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and helping a complete beginner!
Photos are on the OPs home page.
Take the resonator off and see what the rim construction is - all metal or wood clad in metal. I bought a Barnes and Mullins recently with that sort of disc identifier with an all metal (brass) rim as shown below. My rim was made by J G Abbott in the 1920s.
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