(Used) Vintage 1895 S.S. Stewart Banjeaurine 5-String Open-Back Banjo #5853

Exhibiting an extraordinary chapter in American instrument innovation, this 1895 S.S. Stewart banjeaurine is a rare, historically significant 5-string open-back treasure from the height of the Victorian parlor music era. In Very Good condition, especially for it's age, there is a scrape next to the 5th tuner, and otherwise very clean. Specifically invented by Samuel Swaim Stewart to lead the melody lines in traditional 19th-century banjo orchestras, the banjeaurine functions similarly to a high-pitched soprano voice, traditionally tuned a fourth higher than a standard banjo. Boasting a compact, scaled-down frame, this rare piece yields a remarkably fast, punchy, and clear acoustic voice that beautifully carries old-time clawhammer tunes and historic arrangements with effortless projection.

The construction centers on a premium cherry wood rim fully clad in an all-metal, nickel-plated brass exterior, delivering maximum top-end snap and sweet, ringing overtones. Inside the pot, the original wooden dowel stick proudly displays the hand-stamped serial number and factory Philadelphia markings, while the interior of the head retains a historic handwritten note dating a replacement job to '95–'98. Strings are anchored via an authentic metal tailpiece adorned with a highly unique, ornamental ivory flower accent, channeling elegant turn-of-the-century craftsmanship straight to your fingertips.

The select cherry wood neck features a striking, custom three-leaf clover heel carving deeply sculpted into the back of the wood—a signature touch of a high-grade historic build. The dark ebony fingerboard provides a smooth, tactile playing surface, beautifully accented by a premium ebony nut at the headstock. Outfitted with elegant, non-original replacement ivoroid friction tension pegs that provide smooth tuning functionality while maintaining a perfectly period-correct visual layout, this remarkable 1895 masterpiece is ready to inspire.

SPECS
Body Shape: Open-Back Banjeaurine
Head: Synthetic Replacement
Rim Material: All-Metal Clad over Cherry Core
Neck: Cherry with Carved Three-Leaf Clover Heel
Neck Profile: Traditional Vintage V-Profile
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Wood (Non-Original Replacement)
Tuners: Ivoroid Tension Pegs (Non-Original Replacement)
Nut Material and Width: Ebony, 1-1/8"
Scale Length: 21-1/4"

Notice: This is a used item. While we do a basic cleaning and setup before shipping, we are unable to make any modifications to, or guarantees of condition, and or history, outside of what we have personally found, or been informed of by the original owner, which will be included in the description.

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