W. A. Cole "Eclipse" (Bird) 5-string banjo, S/N 597, Circa 1891
This is a very early Cole's Eclipse banjo with the beautiful "Bird" inlay pattern including simple early engraving. This rare model was only produced for a short time after Cole started making banjos under his own name in 1890. Even this early model had the nifty neck adjuster and neck collar found on his later "Eclipse" banjos. The "violin" style pegs on this banjo are not original, but they are very cleverly designed geared pegs that work very well.
