Unknown - - Six-stringed banjo - Germany

Rare Vintage 6-String Guitar Banjo – WARG / D.R.G.M. – Open Back & Resonator
Rare and interesting vintage 6-string guitar banjo of unknown manufacture, most likely originating from the German/Vogtland instrument-making tradition.
The instrument remains in authentic, unrestored vintage condition. It has not been refinished, polished or cosmetically restored. Its natural patina, age-related wear and oxidation have intentionally been left as found.
One of the most interesting historical features is the set of old 3+3 tuners marked WARG / D.R.G.M. D.R.G.M. stands for “Deutsches Reichsgebrauchsmuster”, a historic German registered design designation. The tuners and overall construction strongly suggest a historic German-made instrument, although the exact maker and production year have not been positively identified.
Other distinctive features include the pearloid-style headstock face, multi-piece wooden neck with decorative centre stripe, wooden rim, numerous individual tension hooks and an unusual covered six-string metal tailpiece with individually numbered string positions.
The instrument also comes with an attractive removable wooden resonator, featuring decorative radial/star-pattern veneer work.
The banjo can be played in two different configurations:
Open-back configuration: Without the rear wooden resonator, the instrument is immediately playable.
Resonator configuration: The included wooden resonator can be fitted to play the instrument as a resonator banjo.
The previous owner removed the resonator and played the instrument in its open-back configuration.
The resonator mounting set requires minor completion/restoration before the resonator can be fully fitted. 25 tension/clamping plates are present. The centre screw, one hook and five clamping plates are missing. These are relatively simple mechanical parts and could be reproduced or replaced by a suitable craftsman or instrument repairer.
The wooden resonator itself is present and included in the sale.
Also included is the original vintage adjustment/tension wrench.
Approximate dimensions
Overall length: 94 cm
Rim diameter: 30 cm
Neck length: 47 cm
Rim depth without resonator: 8 cm
Included in the sale
Vintage 6-string guitar banjo
removable wooden resonator
existing resonator mounting hardware
25 tension/clamping plates
original adjustment/tension wrench
vintage soft bag
Condition
The instrument is offered in its existing original vintage condition. It has deliberately not been cosmetically restored, refinished or polished. Age-related wear, patina and oxidation are part of the character of this historic instrument.
The exact maker and production year are unknown; therefore, no specific manufacturer or production date is guaranteed.
A rare and unusual collector’s piece with distinctive construction, original WARG/D.R.G.M. tuners, removable resonator and largely preserved original accessories – particularly interesting for collectors of historic banjos and enthusiasts of German instrument making.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.