Audra-

You definitely have an early Stewart fretless 5-string banjo. There are two missing ebony shims that fit inside the head between the metal brace and the neck; they are needed before anyone tries to string it up for play.

I'm puzzled by the inlaid wooden star on the peghead; it may be a homemade replacement for the mother-of-pearl star which got lost.

The serial number indicates that it is older than 1886 and it looks at least ten years older than that to me; check the Stewart website "Mugwumps" for more information about the significance of the serial number.

It's not a high-end model but very interesting and somewhat rare.

The tuning pegs are a variety of ivory or artificial ivory friction pegs.

What do you want to do with it?

Charley Noble