The dowel stick is imprinted; "The Bacon Professional, Made by The Bacon Banjo Co. Inc., Groton Conn. USA" The head diameter is 11 1/2", 17 frets, with a 20" scale. It has the internal resonator with 2 "f" holes and the 'donut' tone ring. The neck is straight, beautiful, and with no wear on the frets.
I bought this banjo from Curtis McPeake decades ago with the idea of getting a 5-string neck on it. I think it would make an outstanding frailer! As is, it would be a nice short-scale tenor tuned any way.
The picture of the shrinkage cracks on the fingerboard look similar to the Grand Canyon-they are not THAT bad. Vinnie Mondello (my guy) says that it's an easy repair to make them go away. The "Infernal resonator" (to quote Big Jim Griffith) shows weather checking but is solid.
As is the original case, it closes solidly and is good for use 'as is'.
