George James ROBILLIARD before 1870 - Restoration please

[Gadget]

Interesting instrument the lad is holding.

I've googled but can't find anything like it - maybe some type of banjo 

Add - tambura ??

https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/tanjore-tambura-early-19th-century-india-indian-jackwood-news-photo/1183361148

[McGroger]

Looks like a homemade banjo. If you google it there are quite a few made from what look like tins or frying pans. Not many square ones. I wonder how well it played!?
Peter

Added: apparently they even have their own name - canjo.

[Bryan1]

Thank you for the great photo work to those involved.
We think the boy is holding a shovel, and that he was a stoker on board the ill-fated expedition of the HMS Captain of 1870. It was a ship of steam and sail.
I'm unsure of the etiquette here, but I would like to refer this post to a forum which has knowledge of the Royal Navy and its structure - uniforms, titles etc. I have had help from here before.
It intrigues me that they (someone) was taking photos at that time. It could of course be the family as they were prolific photographers. But surely the Royal Navy was not taking pre-employment pics??
Any advice or answers gratefully accepted.
It may be of interest that the Standing Boy, is a great nephew of my friend here in New Zealand, for whom I'm doing this research. The family spread far and wide to here, USA, Australia.. the great diaspora of the early 20th century. Thank you. Please give me the OK to cross post to an appropriate  forum.
Bryan

[Wiggy]

Interesting thought re the shovel Bryan . . . but look how his left hand is holding the 'neck' - if it is a shovel, it is a very light one.    Also there are string tightening pegs at the top of the neck - so some sort of musical instrument.

If you are wanting to post this photo (and restorations) on another thread for uniform recognition on this forum, that's OK.  Or you could put a link to this this thread to another board, which might be a better way of doing it.

(If you decide to move everything, you will need to rename all the photos  - I believe.)

[Bryan1]

I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to refer/forward this thread to say, Armed Forces Resources forum. If anyone can help?
Bryan

[McGroger]

Just send them the link from the top of your first page. I've reproduced it here:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=843479.0
Peter

[ShaunJ]

The object is a Japanese shamisen - a musical instrument

https://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia22/en/topic/index.html

[Wiggy]

Ah ha - thanks Shaun. 


Added -
Link to other thread -
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=843577.msg7103206#msg7103206

[Ian Nelson]

I have a friend ( Tam Givens, world famous in the Garnock Valley - Google his website ) who makes Cigar Box Banjos but has made banjos and ukeleles and even violins from any thing that can be utilised, even frying pans.
The boy in the picture looks to have a 3 string device, not a banjo because there is no 'drum' to give the 'plonky - sound'  but more like a ukelele but unlikely to be strummed due to the bridge ( unseen in the pic) slipping sideways, but more likely for finger picking banjo style.
There is a global cottage industry for Cigar Box guitars & Banjos.

A shrewd guess about the body and long handle is for a pan which allows the holder to keep his distance from the fire.