53rd Pennsylvania Volunteers Drum with Inlaid Venthole

Information from Cowan's Auction Website:

Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium: $1,265.00
Auction: 2006, Firearms and Early Militaria Auction, Dec 7

Civil War 53 Pennsylvania Volunteers rope tension drum with roping for 8 leather tension braces (ears). Marquetry design rendered in brown, gold, green and yellow of a cross inside an octagon. Original label Manufactured by Lyon & Healy Manufacturers and Dealers of Musical Instruments Chicago Canal and Monroe Sts.

Eight white strings (snares) run across center of bottom end of drum, fastened to a snare strainer. Batter head with black stenciled 53 Penna Vols. Snare head with vestige of green-stenciled lettering. 12" height, 17.5" diameter. The 53rd Pennsylvania was organized in Harrisburg and saw heavy action in a number of Eastern Theatre campaigns including Fair Oaks where it lost 96 in killed and wounded, Antietam where they lost 26 killed and wounded.

Entering Fredericksburg with a complement of 283 men, the unit suffered the devastating loss of 158 killed and wounded including 9 commissioned officers. The unit was active on the second day of Gettysburg, where they entered the fray with only one company, the other three being on detached duty. Of the 124 men who saw action, 6 were killed, 67 were wounded and 6 were listed as missing in action.

After Gettysburg the unit participated in the Wilderness, and other actions before mustering out and participating in the Grand Review in 1865. Batter head in very good condition. Ca 5% of snare head present on drum. Three of the tension braces are severed. Wood has expected abrasions evenly throughout.

(EST $1000-$1500)
Price Realized: $1,265.00

Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave
Cincinnati, OH United States 45232
513-871-1670
Price includes buyer's premium.