Pre-Civil War Brown Drum on eBay

On eBay:

Yellow & Red Liberty Snare Marching Drum Unknown Vintage Military?

On eBay:

Yellow & Red Liberty Snare Marching Drum Unknown Vintage Military?

This came out of a military collection, but we're not 100% sure it's military issued.

This is an old drum. We're not sure how old it is, but our research indicates it may be manufactured by the liberty musical instrument company circa 1926.

Top rim is half off of the drum. It might have been reskinned at one time. should be able to be re-set. Ropes are unknown age. Might be original, but we're not sure. Leather pieces look original.

Paint shows its age with cracking and chipping But appears original.

Bottom skin and snares look and feel original.

Drum measures approx. 15'' across by 12'' tall.

CFD - A Civil War Surprise

Note from Matt Alling, Author: I know that it has been several weeks since my last post but I  couldn’t decide which drum to write about next.  The problem with a drummer/drum historian cataloging an entire museum's drum collection, and writing about it while doing so, is that every drum is potentially the next story.

I have been debating for weeks about which of several drums to write about and it came down to which drum revealed the most complete story first.  This drum was the winner and I hope is one that will encourage many of you to make the trip to the Museum of Fifers and Drummers in Ivoryton, Connecticut to see the collection in person.

-----

CFD - A Civil War Surprise

by Matt Alling
CT Pro Percussion
www.ctpropercussion.com
203-228-0488 - Phone

 

MFD Drum #14 (Company collection number, not label number) had been listed simply as “Brown Drum” with no additional information other than it had been played by "Alex Smith".  The drum measures 16.5” x 14.5” and is actually a B.E.&M. Brown drum dated 1822, Bloomfield Connecticut.  The drum has a nice early Brown tack pattern on it that I have seen previously on several B.E.&M. Brown Drums.

On taking the drum down from the shelf for inspection and cataloging I found a list of names signed on the top head of the drum:

Bert Cahl

Mary Wilke

Zack Lemoor (?)

Walter H. Greaszy (?)

And about 6 other names that I can’t decipher. 

Flipping the drum over, there is writing all over the bottom head and a tremendous history and some writing that I never expected.  Right near the snare bed the following writing appears:

William K. Bunnell

Co. B. 27 Reg C.V.

Aug. 23 – 1862 (?) July 27  1863

Frericksburg

Chancelorsville

Gettysburg

Research revealed a roster for the 27^th Regiment, an infantry division based out of New Haven Connecticut. William Bunnell was a private in the regiment and the regiment appears to have been active for only 9 months.

I should note that while William Bunnell is listed as a private, he  is not listed as one of the musicians.  The one issue I have with the information that I found on the drum is that on military archive and genealogy sites the unit is listed as being formed in October 1862, but the writing on the drum indicates August.

Service includes defense of Washington D.C. until November 1862, advance to Falmouth, Virginia, November 7-19, Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 12-15, “Mud March” January 20-24,  1863, at Falmouth Until April 27^th, Chancellorsville Campaign April 27- May 6, Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5, Gettysburg Pennsylvania, Campaign June 11- July 24, Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3 and mustered out on July 27, 1863. During this time the regiment lost 4 officers and 42 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded in combat, and 22 men lost to disease.

In addition to that information, there is a lot of additional writing on the bottom head that helps add to the provenance of the drum, including a history of the drum with the Bunnell family and beyond:

“This drum was used by Russell Bunnell of Seymour and later New Haven Conn. Also used by his son Frank S. Bunnell of New Haven Conn. Used by Bunnell Drum Corps Later and by Louis Bunnell of Oneita NY.”

Eventually the drum ended up in the hands of Alex Smith who played with Chester Drum Corps and was then sold, as noted on the bottom of the drum:

“This drum was bought from the collection of Alex Smith of North Haven, Conn. 1958 by Bruce Shepard West Haven, Conn.”

The drum is now on permanent loan by Bruce Shepard to the museum, where it will continue to be displayed for as long as the museum exists.  To say that I was surprised to find this information right on the head and no information in the archives would be an understatement.  The drum will be taking its place as a true centerpiece in the collection going forward.

Note: For more information about this and all of the drums in the collection, please visit or contact the Museum of the Company of Fifers and Drummers.  Please remember to support the museum and make a donation when you visit or through the site by becoming a member of the company.

See the Museum's website.

See the Museum's Facebook page 

See our first article on the Museum.

By Matt Alling
CT Pro Percussion
www.ctpropercussion.com
203-228-0488 - Phone

           

Medieval Field Drums - Request for Comments

A reader emailed the below.  If you can add anything to this conversation, please email us at BlogMaster@FieldDrums.com.

______

Dear Field Drums.com

My name is Harry and I'm a medieval reenactor in England. My period of interest is the 12th Century in England and Britain as a whole and, although I'm aware that our periods of interest don't overlap much, I have come across an image recently that piqued my interest and I'm hoping that you might be able to help me in my enquiries.

Please find attached fol 9v from the Morgan Bible, a 13th century bible currently in the Morgan collection.

As you can see in the lower right panel of the manuscript, two of the infantry depicted are carrying what appear to be frame drums.

I've done a little bit of reading into the subject and it would appear that when western knights went on crusade, they encountered Saracen armies that used Timpani to scare their horses. They then brought these drums back with them and used them during warfare, presumably for coordinating their infantry. However, the drums depicted in this panel from the Morgan Bible don't look much like Timpani to me, they look more like Tabor, the ancestor of the modern snare drum.

Basically, I was wondering if you had any knowledge or ideas either related to my search for information or where to continue looking.

Thanks,
Harry

P.s. the colour of the drum shells matching the colour of the drummer's helmet looks to me to be a very early version of regimental markings on drum shells, which is *so cool*.

Civil War Period Snare Drum & Drum Sticks

Civil War Period Snare Drum & Drum Sticks. Measures 11" high with a 14" diameter, maple shell and loops. Excellent hide heads and snares. Interior label reads "Made by White Brothers 86 Tremont Street Boston."  Four leather tighteners are present. Matching pair of rosewood drum sticks which measure 14 7/8".

Estimate: $700 - up.

Heritage Auctions, Lot 47418, Dec. 12, 2015.

Spirit of '76 Figure

Spirit of '76 Figure

https://fairfieldauction.hibid.com/lot/22487526/spirit-of-76-figure?tab=0

Polychromed white metal mounted on a drum base figure 35" high, overall 42" high late 19th century CONDITION REPORT: original surface with some flaking rubs and blistering, paint approximately 90%.

Fairfield Auction

Name :	November 2015 Last Chance Auction
Auctioneer :	Fairfield Auction, LLC
Type :	Online-Only Auction
Date(s) :	11/18/2015 - 11/22/2015
	November 18th to November 22nd Items will begin closing at 5 pm on November 22nd
Preview Date/Time :	Call to preview in person.
Checkout Date/Time :	Payment and pick-up will be November 18th - 22th, 11 am to 4 pm.
Location :	707 Main Street Monroe, CT 06468
Buyer Premium :	20% Buyer's Premium
Description :	Last Chance Auction! November 18th to 22nd

Really Old School Drum Corps History

A Drum Corps History Podcast by Ron Allard, originally published Dec. 5, 2011.

"The roots of the drum corps activity in North America can be traced back to before the American Revolution."

Episode 12: Old School

Links to material used in this episode:

Mattatuck Drum Band History 
Historical Drum Corps Publications

William Kilbourn Drum - Label Question

Sam Cathey, a reader of this blog, writes with the following question: "I have an original Kilbourn drum with this label inside.  Generally I see a different Kilbourn label that includes a Clinton Avenue address.  Does anyone know the dates connected with the labels?"

Partial Answer: He was located at 147 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY from 1858-1863. (Directory of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers 1785-1915).  See http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org/Virtual/exhibit3/e30232a.htm.

The Albany City Directory for the year 1877, p. 275, lists William Kilbourn, drum manufacturer at 915 Broadway.

William Kilbourn is listed as age 37, a farmer and drum manufacturer in Albany. Gazetteer and Business Directory of Albany and Schenectady Co., N.Y., for 1870-71, p. 296.  (No address given.)  That would put his date of birth at ca. 1833.

Also see:

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanygroup/14376626314.

"Chicks with Sticks" - Mission Impossible Warmup

Mission Impossible warmup with variations
"Chicks with Sticks" warmup

Shown in the video L-R are: Gisèle ("Gis Montreal") Cadieux - '82 Crossmen; Mary Gromko Murray - '78, '79, '80 27th Lancers, '81, '82 Freelancers; Peggy Sue Snyder Casey - '81, '82 Phantom Regiment; and Kelley Marie Kubitz - '81, '82 Blue Devils.

Posted to Facebook by Scott Kubitz on Monday, October 12, 2015

From Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrumTalkTV/videos/916926761719322/:

Here are some veteran drum corps women, known as "Chicks with Sticks" gathered for a rehearsal that lead to a reunion performance.

The video was taken while the ladies were getting ready to compete at the 2011 DCA Individuals & Ensembles competition in Rochester, NY.  These four pioneers were among the first women to march snare in a top 12 DCI corps.

See more fun, inspiring drumming videos from over 100 countries around the world at www.facebook.com/DrumTalkTV/videos — with Chicks with Sticks.

Old Guard in the News (The Lamar Times, Thu., Oct. 8, 2015, vol. 22, no. 2)

From The Lamar Times, Thu., Oct. 8, 2015, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 1 and 5.

No Drummers, No Direction - A Historical Overview of Military Drums & Drumming

No Drummers, No Direction - A Historical Overview of Military Drums & Drumming

September 23, 2015 to January 31, 2016

Rhythm! Discovery Center

110 W. Washington St., Ste. A, Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-275-9030
Event Phone: 317-275-9030

This exhibit explores the role of a drummer in American military bands. We'll examine each period in US history through instruments, uniforms, and other artifacts. In addition, you can experience the music used in the 19th Century military bands and how the music compares to our modern military music and today's marching percussion section. The exhibit comes to life through an in-depth interactive media display featuring photos, video, audio and much more.

Artifacts on display includes an authentic Avery Brown Civil War-era marching snare with drumsticks, photographs, and an enrollment document dated August 18, 1861; WWII marching snare drums; and turn-of-the-century drums and fifes, and replicas from the Revolutionary War and Civil War.

CFD - In the Beginning - A Look Through the Vent Hole of Frank Fancher's Competition Field Drum

In the Beginning - A Look Through the Vent Hole of Frank Fancher's Competition Field Drum

by Matt Alling
CT Pro Percussion

There is always a starting point for every project or idea, that one thing that sets the ball in  motion and eventually leads to that idea becoming a reality and then growing from there.  For the Company of Fifers & Drummers Museum, this drum is that piece.  In my opinion, this is the most important drum in the museum because it was the drum that got the ball rolling.  In 1976, this was the first artifact purchased by the Company.  The photograph in the museum’s archives taped to a piece of paper says only “How it all began” but it speaks volumes.  It was this drum that eventually lead to the opening of the museum a decade later. 

This is a 16" x 16" drum with natural maple shell and hoops.  The drum has an ivory vent hole grommet surrounded by a star tack design with 17 tacks in it.  There are 8 tack diamonds on the top and bottom of the star with half diamonds to either side connecting them to the flanking rows of tacks, each containing 13 tacks.  The rope is hemp and there are 10 rectangular, riveted leather ears held on by hooks.  The top and bottom heads are calf with gut snares.  There is a badge on the hoops the reads "Odell M. Chapman, the builder of quality drums, Willimantic, Conn, U.S.A."  The badge on the inside indicates that it is Drum #625 and was built in 1918.

This drum is one of many that, after just a quick glance. have surprised me because of the lack of information known about the drum.  In the museum's master list of information, this drum is listed simply as an Odell Chapman drum.  Looking through the drum’s vent hole I was astounded by the information displayed inside the shell.  In the center, there is the Odell Chapman label in pristine condition, to the immediate right is a Label from Cooperman Drum Company indicating refinishing in 1992 (date in pencil) by Ken Lemley, a name well-known within the fife and drum community.  The shocker for me however was the picture to the left of the label and the caption under it.

The picture is of a man in a colonial uniform with a drum next to him on a step and he is surrounded by a bunch of trophies.  The writing on the original photograph reads:

182 1^st Prize cups and medals

Frank Fancher, Wizard of the Drum

World’s Champion Rudimental Drummer

The caption below the picture reads:

This Snare Drum made by Odell M. Chapman, year of 1918 and used by Frank S. Fancher, World’s Champion Drummer and Chief Musician of Odell M. Champman’s Continental Drum Corps of Willimantic Connecticut.  Mr. Fancher won 186 first prizes for individual snare drumming on this drum during his association with the Chapman Corps.

                  For those of you not familiar with Frank Fancher, he was the first true rock star (for lack of a better term) of rudimental drumming.  In his life Frank won more than 200 1^st place prizes for solo snare drum competitions and that number does not include championships won with the corps with which he marched.  Let that sink in for a moment and ask yourself what other drummer can match that number?  Frank regularly competed against other rudimental drumming royalty such as J. Burns Moore, Earl Sturtze, Dan English, Sanford “Gus” Moeller, and many others.

                  Frank was the very first endorsor for the Ludwig drum company in the early 1920s and was later wooed away by Slingerland and was given his own signature model snare drum that was produced for only two years.  Francher model Slingerland drums come up for auction every so often, are highly sought, and usually fetch very good prices.  They are signature snares.  I can imagine that there will interest by vintage drum buffs who learn that this drum actually exists and was Fancher’s personal drum used for competition.  I’m hoping that a few of them would like to come check it out in person.

I have seen the picture on the inside of the drum many times, as it has been used by Ludwig and Slingerland drum companies when providing information about Frank Francher.  This very drum is the drum in the picture affixed to the inside of the shell after Francher’s tenure with the Chapman Corps.  As a lover of rope drums, it is a drum that I have looked at in the picture many times and wondered to myself “What ever happened to that drum?”  So realizing that I was holding that very drum in my hands was a special moment for me on a personal level.  The drum is one of my favorite pieces in the museum’s collection.

The Fancher drum and all of the other drums and many others are on display at the Company of Fifers and Drummers Museum so come out to see this extraordinary collection of very special drums, fifes, uniforms and related fife and drum corps artifacts.  Until then, keep watching here to see what other treasures I uncover as I take my next look through the vent hole.

Matt Alling

CT Pro Percussion

www.ctpropercussion.com

203-228-0488 - Phone

Calfskin, it's the new plastic

Civil War Drum on eBay

Drum dealer John David O'Neill is back with another beauty on eBay which he describes as:

Civil War Drum

16" Rope Tension Drum - Beautiful - Calfskins Gut

Civil War Style Rope Tension Drum !!!!

American marching Field Drum; drum is in original playing condition. 

Drum Shell measures 16" Dia. x 12 " Deep, - Drum's Overall height approximately measures 14 ".

Mahogany Drum Shell has a beautiful aged finish.

16" Diameter Calfskin Drum-Heads and Gut Snares.

Maple Hoops with Nine (9) Leather Ears, - Hemp Rope.

Period correct: Civil War Hinged Snare Strainer.

Drum produces a Very Loud, Crisps, Deep, Old -School Low-Toned Rattle.

Perfect Fife & Drum Musters,  Civil War Re-enactments, Military Veterans Group, Town Band or Military Display!!!