These banisters are in a house some friends bought. They asked me what wood it was, but I have not seen them in person, and I have a hard time judging from these. It looks like pine to me: but I've never SEEN banisters made of pine, only oak and hardwoods.
The house needs a lot of work; and they'll have to choose what needs replacement and what is worth keeping and refinishing. They are doing the work themselves, and there are only so many hours....
If they are just pine, I'll suggest replacing down the road once they get more important parts of the house done. If oak, maybe they can paint them or use a gel stain. Thanks for your help.
Sorry the photos are sideways. They were right side up on my computer.