1803 Carmarthenshire Militia Bass Drum

From the private collection of James L. Kochan sold by Richard Opfer Auctioneering, Inc.

Regimental Bass or Side Drum of the Carmarthenshire Militia, c. 1803 This striking bass drum was used by the band of the Carmarthenshire Regiment (Welsh Militia) during the late 18th and into the early 19th century. It bears a stag on a yellow ground, the remainder of the shell being painted blue. The stag is presumed to be the old regimental device (or the crest of its colonel-commandant) prior to it being redesignated the Royal Carmarthen Fusiliers, upon which the device was changed to the Prince of Wale’s feathers. Like the snare drum above, the yellow ground indicates the earlier facing color of the regiment. The blue around the balance of the shell may have been applied when the facing color changed in 1799. The shell and rims are original and the heads and cords are modern replacements. $3000/3500