S. S. Stewart No. 2 Model Guitar Banjo, c. 1894, made in Philadelphia, PA, natural varnish finish, spunover rim, cherry neck with ebony fingerboard.
A most unusual S. S. Stewart, one of the few 6-string guitar banjos to have surfaced from this prolific 19th century manufacturer. This is a Style 2 Stewart, with quite fancy moon-and-stars inlay on the headstock and fingerboard and a plain 11" spunover rim. Stewart's factory built a great many 5-string banjos in the 1890's, but a guitar banjo in any style is a very rare find.
Overall length is 33 in. (83.8 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 in. (610 mm.). Width of nut is 1 15/16 in. (49 mm.).
Very nice overall; finish and plating nicely preserved. Hardware is all original, including the special 6-string tailpiece and friction tuners. There is a filled hole in the upper side of the neck where it looks like an attempt was made at some point to add a drone string, otherwise no alterations. Plays and sounds very well. Excellent Condition.
