S.S. Stewart 5 String Banjo Early Open Back Silver Covered Maple Pot Hard Shell Case Circa-1900s-Natural Maple

Early 1900s S.S. Stewart Unbranded 5-String Open Back Banjo - 11" Silver Wrapped Pot - Era-Appropriate Hard Case

Description:Up for sale is a beautiful, highly collectible early 1900s 5-string open-back banjo, structurally and stylistically attributed to the legendary maker S.S. Stewart. While this instrument bears no official brand stamp, it showcases all the classic hallmarks, craftsmanship, and elegant appointments of Stewart’s turn-of-the-century production.This banjo is highly original and delivers that authentic, plunky, old-time old-world tone that modern reproductions simply cannot replicate.

The Pot Assembly

• Construction: 11” maple construction, 20-lug configuration.
• Finish: The finish on the wood portion of the pot appears to be entirely original, showing a gorgeous, honest vintage patina.
• Hardware: Features a striking silver-wrapped outer rim (wood showing on the inside), a classic design element of the era. It retains its original tailpiece, brackets, hooks, and nuts.
• Head: Currently fitted with what appears to be a ripped calfskin head. It will need to be replaced or repaired to be fully playable, but it is a wonderful testament to its history.
• The Neck & Fingerboard
• Scale Length: Original 5-string configuration with a 26" scale length.

Accessories Included

• Bridge: Includes a newer, modern replacement bridge to get you up and running once a new head is installed.
• Case: Ships in a very nice, era-appropriate hard shell case that fits the banjo beautifully and offers excellent protection.

Condition Report

This banjo is in Very Good / Fair Vintage Condition given its age (over 100 years old!). The metal hardware shows a fine patina but is entirely functional. The main structural point to note is the ripped calfskin head, which is currently un-tensioned and torn. Once a fresh skin or modern synthetic head is installed, this banjo will be ready to sing for another century.Instrument is sold as-is due to the vintage nature and the need for a new head. Please review the photos carefully and feel free to reach out with any questions!

• Fingerboard: Premium ebony fingerboard, beautifully inlaid with an understated yet elegant combination of a star, two diamonds, and traditional dot position markers.
• Peghead: Features an ebony peghead veneer accented with a classic inlaid star.
• Tuners: Retains its original vintage tuning pegs.
• Condition Notes: The back of the neck has been refinished at some point in its life. The work was cleanly done and feels excellent in the hand, offering a smooth, fast playing experience without sacrificing the vintage feel.
• You can shop with complete confidence that your item will be described accurately as Vintage Gear America's vast experience has culminated in great expertise allowing for the best purchasing experience. We ship worldwide UPS, USPS and FedEx always implementing new shipping materials and careful professional packing. Due to recent changes in Reverbs payment policy we no longer allow returns and are selling everything "as described" meant to convey "as is" all sales final. We would like to thank you in advance for your patronage and cooperation.

John Russell Nelson owner

Vintage Gear America