"George Washburn" 5-string banjo, model 421 custom, Circa 1892
Model 421 was the most expensive banjo in the 1892 George Washburn line, but if one paid more a carved heel and gold plated hardware could be added. This is one of the only examples of such a "custom" model 421 that I have seen. This banjo was made to compete with Stewart "presentation" banjos available at the time. It is not as fancy as the best Stewarts, but the banjo has a much more solid feel to it than do any of the Stewarts from that period.
