197.            $300

Daniel Pratt & Sons No. 5 banjo, 1852-1871.  Daniel in partnership with his son and son-in-law in Boston; they were retailers, buying clocks from other makers.  This standard production banjo is 28.5 inches long in a walnut(?) case with grain painting to make it look like rosewood; the painting is still strong on the sides, less so on the front half-round trim and bezel.  The dial and box glasses appear to be original, the throat glass looks like a modern replacement.  The zinc dial is too clean and sharp not to be a repaint, the hands are period.  The 8-day time-only brass movement is unsigned; it is running nicely, driven by a modest lead weight with a wooden pendulum stick and a bob that hooks on the stick.  There are two Pratt & Sons labels on the inside right, one of which provides instructions.  Winding crank included.  A nice example.  $300–$600.