Just got this old 4 string tenor banjo. If I had to guess I would put it at early to mid 1900's.
I cannot find any markings on it to establish maker. It appears to be pretty old, has been sitting around for a while, and has the cob webs to prove it.It has a maple pot with a black/white/black banding.
This is not a very ornate model, rather plain but nice. It has all its parts that appear to be original, except it is missing the bridge. The head is torn and will need to be replaced.
The fretboard has been repaired or something done to it. There is a chunk that looks like it was replaced or taken out and put back. It is not a very good job and will need fixing. There are 3 frets missing.
It has a 2 piece maple neck, and a rosewood or ebony peg head veneer that someone has painted black. This will need to be cleaned off. Maybe I will get lucky and find a headstock inlay or something under the paint?
Other than that just a good cleaning should suffice to get this old gal back to playing some jigs..