MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA DRUM CA. 1861

MASSACHUSETTS MILITIA DRUM CA. 1861

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$900.00 ON HOLD

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 715-39

This snare drum was made by Asa and Ira J. White of Boston Massachusetts who were in business together as music dealers, publishers and instrument makers under the name "White Brothers" from late 1853 until 1863 at 86 Tremont Street. After 1863, Ira went out on his own relocating just north of the city first in Malden, Massachusetts and then later in Melrose. A maker's label inside the wooden drum that measures 2 inches by 3 inches shows a panoply of flags, drums and cannon over " MADE BY WHITE BROTHERS" over "86 TREMONT STREET  BOSTON". The shell of the drum is 12 inches high with a 16 inch diameter. The red painted (counter) hoops are 1 1/2 inches high and 17 inches in diameter. They retain about 75% of their original paint. Painted on the drum in a circle measuring 7 3/4 inches in diameter and surrounded by 44 small brass tacks is a portrait of "First Person" aka Indian chief King Philip the 17th century warrior and patriot to his people. Please follow this link to learn about this man also known as Metacom or Metacomet: (King Philip’s War | Cause, Summary, & Facts | Britannica). The well executed painting is about 80 % intact and stable. It is in the "folk art" manner and shows the warrior standing in a clearing fully regaled with headdress, war shirt and trousers wearing a quiver, a knife and holding a lance and a bow. Below him is a 6 inch long riband that reads: "KING PHILIP 1675".  There is a 1/2 inch diameter air hole fitted with an ebony plug. The heads, ropes, tension tighteners and snares are missing but all can be purchased from sources to be found on-line if restoration is desired.

This drum was certainly made for a Massachusetts militia company just prior to or during the first two years of the Civil War. Please be aware that such "non-regulation" snare drums were carried into service and battle during the war. Many well documented Confederate drums are found today with Federal eagles and motifs that are pre-nullification in design looking very much "Yankee" this is because they are pre-war militia drums that were carried into service unaltered and continued in service until retired, and retired in most cases due to changing times and being no longer sensible on the "modern" battlefield. You do not have to be a military collector to love this totally un-molested drum. [pe][ph:L]

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