Thursday, June 29, 2017

John G. Pike Civil War Militia Drum

John G. Pike Civil War Militia Drum 







Priced at $1,990 on http://www.invaluable.com/buy-now/very-rare-john-g.-pike-civil-war-militia-drum-c624d4f821


Dimensions: 15" x 16.75" x 16.75"
Artist or Maker: John G. Pike

Thursday, June 15, 2017

1913 National Guard Fife, Drum, Bugle & Bell Corps

Recorded more than 100 years ago.  Includes Semper Fidelis, Gary Owen, Hell on the Wabash (with modified drum chart presumably to play at speed), and more.

Pretty snappy for their time.


Per Frank Dorritie, "These recordings are remarkable and the playing is state of the art for the context. You may be interested that the bugles used herein are in the Key of F, meaning they are the Cavalry type, or possibly, Regulation G's with the tuning slides pulled out to the F line, though this is less likely given the superb intonation and tone here.

"Also attached a pic of my own fully restored Edison Cylinder Player."

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Civil War Eagle Snare Drum of the 78th New York Infantry, 1st Regiment Eagle Brigade, Cameron Highlanders....

"Civil War Eagle Snare Drum of the 78th New York Infantry, 1st Regiment Eagle Brigade, Cameron Highlanders. The regiment left for the "seat of war" in April 1862, and was engaged at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg and, later, through heavy fighting in Georgia, being consolidated with the 112th New York in July 1864. The drum is 10" high with a 17" diameter, doubtless being slightly shortened during the period of use, which is not uncommon with the diminutive size of many drummers. Both heads intact, retaining most of the original rope, now broken, and one of the original tighteners, only remnants of the label remain. Brass tack decoration around the air hole, classic painted eagle decoration with the number 78 deeply carved preceding Reg. Original red painted hoops. The drum is in as found/ untouched condition, having surfaced a number of years ago with other artifacts related to this and other New York state regiments. The drum retains about 80% of the original paint decoration, with no imminent signs of further deterioration. Hoops retain 95% of the original red paint with demonstrable wear from the ropes. The drum is accompanied by the original fine condition sticks, with artificially grained decoration, the first example we've seen and the original cloth storage bag, black cotton with gray silk lining, a few holes, but very good and sound."



FieldDrums.com Blogmaster's Note: Probably cut-down based on three reasons (the 10" height; the emblazonment is cut-off top and bottom; the tack pattern appears also to have been cut off at the top and the bottom of the shell).

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/military-and-patriotic/civil-war-eagle-snare-drum-of-the-78th-new-york-infantry-1st-regiment-eagle-brigade-cameron-highlanders/a/6021-57739.s?ic4=OtherResults-SampleItem-Thumbnail-022817#

Sold at auction by Heritage Auctions for $4,310.37 (including buyer's premium) on 12/12/2009.

P.R. Winn, Drummaker

An article by W. Lee Vinson, author and publisher of BostonDrumBuilders.com and blog.BostonDrumBuilders.com . For Lee's story about ...