Jedawi - Posted - 03/29/2026:  12:23:09

I have inherited a banjo, I can't find a makers mark. I am afraid to open the back to look. Any ideas??

Culloden - Posted - 03/29/2026:  13:41:34

Don't be afraid to remove the back. It's designed to come off. If you don't remove the back you can't tighten the head. So, take the resonator off, take some pictures of the inside, and maybe we can help you figure out what it is.

Jedawi - Posted - 03/29/2026:  15:07:55

I am not very mechanically inclined but I'm going to give it a shot.

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/29/2026:  18:01:38

You'll find some sort of obvious thumbscrews or latches holding the resonator on. Just remove them and DON'T LOSE THEM UNDER FURNITURE OR DOWN A HOT AIR DUCT!

Again, post a photo and you'll get exact directions.

Jedawi - Posted - 03/30/2026:  05:31:37

I took the back off , I think it's homemade.
See photos.

Jedawi - Posted - 03/30/2026:  05:34:18

There is a sawblade inside that says

EC Atkins and Co.
Indianapolis

ssduke - Posted - 03/30/2026:  06:37:11

A quick internet search turns up several sites with information about EC Atkins saws. Founded in 1855 and closed about 1960 after being purchased by Borg Warner. Apparently some of their output is now considered collectible by tool geeks. The company’s plant was in Indianapolis, but the tools were sold nationwide, so that doesn’t help narrow the banjo’s place of origin. And, yes, probably homemade.

Jbo1 - Posted - 03/30/2026:  07:29:31

Pictures are on the OP's home page. Definitely homemade, which isn't a bad thing. The circular saw blade is very atypical for banjos, unless you want to play a song like Mississippi Sawyer.

Actually there are quite a few people who would rather use the saw blade on the banjo (or bagpipes, or clarinet).

Jedawi - Posted - 03/30/2026:  07:34:11

I got it from my Dad's family it was his grandfather's . They were the Winters Clan of Elk Park NC. They used to have a tough-man contest every year to see who would lead the clan for that year. They called them the 7 devils.
7 blue eyed boys, and, 7 green eyed girls.
It either belonged to Zachary Winters or Johnathan Winters.

Jbo1 - Posted - 03/30/2026:  08:36:09

Not THAT Johnathan Winters?

Jedawi - Posted - 03/30/2026:  08:53:39

Johnathan Winters b. 1869
Son of Zach Winters


Not THAT Johnathan Winters that was an actor.

pinenut - Posted - 03/30/2026:  09:26:29

pinenut - Posted - 03/30/2026:  09:27:32

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/30/2026:  09:29:55

Circular saw blades may have been used as tone enhancers. There were after market metal discs that were hung inside banjos to change the tone.

That's pretty ornate woodwork for a homemade banjo!

pinenut - Posted - 03/30/2026:  09:32:42

That banjo head has exceeded 'patina' levels...   

The fingerboard deserves love too.   

It's an attractive banjo that appears to be well made and sturdy; treasure it with play time.  Cheers. 

Edited by - pinenut on 03/30/2026 09:39:08

Jedawi - Posted - 03/30/2026:  09:38:47

There's a fiddle too. I think they did a lot of wood working.