I refer to this as a German banjo but I'm not 100% sure. When Mandolin Bros. saw pictures, they said it was no known American maker. The tuners (the only marked part) are stamped DRGM 63957. This is a German design registry mark that dates to about 1895. Great old-timey look, feel and sound. Recent, professionally installed calfskin head.
Thanks to forum response and some thought, I know think this is a marriage of a short scale (24 1/2") neck and a 9" pot from a mando banjo or banjo uke. Regardless of what it is, it's a cool little instrument. It is very light, less than three pounds. It has steel strings on it but with the tie -on tailpiece its really more suited to nylon or Nylgut. I can ship it with Nylgut if you prefer.
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