This is a reproduction of a banjo attributed to Joel Walker Sweeney.  The original was a left-handed banjo made by Sweeney for his niece.  It is now in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum.  Joel as leader of the famous "Virginia Minstrels" helped popularize the banjo throughout America and Europe.  Joel's brother, Sampson  D. Sweeney traveled with General Jeb Stuart and was the most notable banjoist during the American Civil War. 
 
This drawing by Frank Vizetelly appeared in the "Illustrated London News" in 1862 and depicts Sam Sweeney (Joel's brother seated in tent) playing the banjo at General Stuart's Headquarters at "the Bower."

The scalloped oak rim of this banjo, with it's metal head  tensioning system, is almost identical to the banjo pots built by William E. Boucher Jr. in his Baltimore factory during the middle of the 1800's. It is likely that Sweeney collaborated with Boucher to make this early minstrel banjo.

A distinct feature is the arched neck which begins to curve down from about the octave position to meet the rim below the tension ring. The scale length is about 27" with the bridge near the center of the pot.  The neck is curly maple.  The single-ply bent wood rim is 12" x 3.25" x .25" thick.  The hardware is brass and it comes with a natural skin head, gut strings (Aquila nylgut is also available), ebony tailpiece and ebony tuning pegs.

Price: $1250.