Update 2015: These were made by Oscar Schmidt in New Jersey and are very similar to slightly-later Stella banjo ukes.
Though it bears no brand or markings, this uke is almost identical to another banjo-uke I worked on: this "Winner" banjo uke. It also sounds and plays just as well and like its brother (or sister) uke, it has a nice mahogany uke-style thin but wide neck, obviously suited to gut strings of the time (it does not cater to steel). This one is entirely original save for its bridge, which is a new Grover non-tip which gives it a sweet but loud tone. I've restored it head to toe and gosh, the finish popped right back beautifully and so did the hardware: shine everywhere!
Nice original skin head with a yellow tint from age. Looks grand.
Bridge/tailpiece.
Headstock with ebony nut and original Champion-style pegs. These are nice-quality pegs and look very attractive on this banjolele.
Fretboard: this was very dry when I got this in. I've cleaned it and dressed and polished the frets.
Side view.
Nice good neck join.
Back. I think the rim might be birch. It's spunover on the bottom but not on the top, which gives the uke a nice woody tone compared to most banjo-ukes.
Detail.
Good, simple neck brace.
Bakelite pegs again: these are my favorite vintage pegs because they function just as well as big Champions but have narrower buttons which feel more "uke-like." The rubber washers keep movement nice and clean, too.
Side.
How about that for gleam?
Top down.
Tailpiece -- just a simple curled stamped one. I like.
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