• Image 1 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
    A rare Civil War era banjo featuring Tilton’s 1866 patented method of tightening the head from the inside the ~11-1/8" diameter oak rim, with 6 decorative screws around the outside which attach to the oak tightening system inside the rim. A very unique coffin-style wooden hardshell case is included. The banjo plays okay, but is sold AS-IS (see More Details below). This instrument is in very good condition.
    More Details
  • Image 2 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 3 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 4 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 5 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 6 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 7 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 8 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 9 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 10 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 11 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 12 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 13 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 14 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
  • Image 15 of Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's) - SKU# 60U-208995 : Product Type Open Back Banjos : Elderly Instruments
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More Details

The following specs were provided by our repair and appraisal teams. For a more detailed description please call (517) 372-7880 
  • SN 3135
  • 1860's
  • VGC *(see below)
  • This banjo features the Tilton's 1866 patented method of tightening the head from inside the rim
  • Light brown stain on maple neck and oak rim
  • Large heel
  • Fretless fingerboard
  • Solid headstock with violin style tuners  and 5th string peg
  • ~11-1/8" skin head (head has been patched on back)
  • 1-1/4" nut, ~23" scale, ~2-3/4" rim depth
  • Oak rim with 6 decorative screws on the outside
  • These attach to the oak tightening system inside the rim
  • Dowel stick and flat wood stick
  • Wood stick reads "TILTON'S IMPROVEMENT PAT. APRIL 24, 1866 / MANFD. BY C. BRUNO & SON / NO. 1 CORTLAND ST. N.Y.
  • Violin peg tuners and 5th string peg
  • Metal tailpiece with heart cut-out,
  • Nylon strings, tuned a, D, A, D, F#  and A.
  • With circular wooden "coffin style" OHSC (reddish lining)
  • *VGC except could use work (adjust or replace tuners, replace skin head (actually though, the repair is fine on the current one),  etc. - plays okay, sold AS-IS)

Tilton's Improvement Minstrel Banjo (1860's)

International Fees
AS-IS

SKU: 60U-208995

$1,500 USD
$1,500 USD
A rare Civil War era banjo featuring Tilton’s 1866 patented method of tightening the head from the inside the ~11-1/8" diameter oak rim, with 6 decorative screws around the outside which attach to the oak tightening system inside the rim. A very unique coffin-style wooden hardshell case is included. The banjo plays okay, but is sold AS-IS (see More Details below). This instrument is in very good condition.
More Details

More Details

The following specs were provided by our repair and appraisal teams. For a more detailed description please call (517) 372-7880 
  • SN 3135
  • 1860's
  • VGC *(see below)
  • This banjo features the Tilton's 1866 patented method of tightening the head from inside the rim
  • Light brown stain on maple neck and oak rim
  • Large heel
  • Fretless fingerboard
  • Solid headstock with violin style tuners  and 5th string peg
  • ~11-1/8" skin head (head has been patched on back)
  • 1-1/4" nut, ~23" scale, ~2-3/4" rim depth
  • Oak rim with 6 decorative screws on the outside
  • These attach to the oak tightening system inside the rim
  • Dowel stick and flat wood stick
  • Wood stick reads "TILTON'S IMPROVEMENT PAT. APRIL 24, 1866 / MANFD. BY C. BRUNO & SON / NO. 1 CORTLAND ST. N.Y.
  • Violin peg tuners and 5th string peg
  • Metal tailpiece with heart cut-out,
  • Nylon strings, tuned a, D, A, D, F#  and A.
  • With circular wooden "coffin style" OHSC (reddish lining)
  • *VGC except could use work (adjust or replace tuners, replace skin head (actually though, the repair is fine on the current one),  etc. - plays okay, sold AS-IS)