L. B. Gatcomb & Co. Monarch #15 Model Banjeaurine, c. 1895, made in Boston, Mass., serial # 5838, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, gig bag case.
Overall length is 27 3/4 in. (70.5 cm.), 12 1/2 in. (31.8 cm.) diameter head, and 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 18 3/4 in. (476 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.). This is a fairly well-worn old Banjeurine but remains a good player with a sweet sound. The rim and hardware appear original including the hooks, nuts and neck tension adjuster; it is set up with an older plastic head and a repro No-Knot tailpiece. Plating is moderately tarnished but substantially intact. The neck is in good shape including the fingerboard and frets, the headstock has some heavy wear to the back (edges especially) and apperars to have had the face re-veneered and both sides polished out in the distant past. Tuners are period (possibly original) Champion style with a violin peg for the 5th string. The dowel has an old mark from a resonator installation and appears to have also been polished out at some point but all markings are still legible. Still very functional after nearly 120 years, a cool piece from the Boston banjo's golden age. Overall Very Good + Condition.
