Banjo, black and white metal in 1930s style. Wooden bridge positioned at lower end of plastic membrane sound table. Four wire strings, of which one is displaced. White plastic tuning pegs. Maker's mark on membrane reads: R-M HEAD-MASTER/MADE IN ENGLAND; Instrument maker's sticker on head reads: JOHN/GREY/& SONS/LONDON
This banjo was manufactured by John Grey & Sons Ltd., a small subsidiary of Barnett Samuel & Sons Ltd. of Worship Street London E.C., who also registered the company Boyd Ltd. for the selling of the pianos they made. The man responsible for the design and manufacture of the banjos was Francis Beddard, an Englishman of flair and craftsmanship who had previously worked for the famous S.S. Stewart stringed instrument company in the USA.
