Object Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

1998.22.13

Object Name

Drum, Snare

Collection

HISTORY

Date

1865

Year Range to

1865

Description

Snare drum constructed of a painted wood cylinder with skin stretched across two hoops on the ends and held in place with two red painted wooden counter-hoops. The counter-hoops are held in place with adjustable ropes with leather cuffs. The blue painted background on the cylinder has a painted American eagle motif and shield; the eagle holds a red banner with white lettering: "REG. U. S. INFANTRY". "41" or "47" ("4" followed by a backwards "1" or "7") carved into word preceding the white lettering. The ropes are replaced. Interior paper label: "MANUFACTURED/BY/(H)ORSTMANN, BROTHERS & CO./Military Furnishers./Fifth & Cherry Streets,/PHILADELPHIA."

Per 12/27/2007 MACC treatment proposal: "The drum has been reused and is cut down from its original height (approximately 1 1/2" from both top and bottom). The interior reinforcement hoops have probably been moved and they now cover part of the paper label. Both the bottom edges of the sides and of the exterior bottom rim/counter hoop are notched (probably to fit different snares). No snare is extant. The rope and tension tabs/ears/tugs have been replaced. The number 47 (with backward 7) is scratched over the original obliterated regiment number."

06/27/2012: new hemp rope and black leather ears added to drum. See OPM treatment report.

From the Arthur P. Kannenberg collection. He recorded the following in his catalog: "A snare drum which was used in the 47 Regiment U. S. Infantry during the Civil War. It was brought home by Private George Briggs who donated it at the time to the G. A. R. Post in Oshkosh." Kannenberg acquired the drum after the post was disbanded.

NOTE:George Washington Briggs did not serve in the 47th Wisconsin Infantry. He served in Company K, 11th New York Cavalry. He could not have carried this drum during the Civil War. He did not move to Oshkosh until 1866.
Over 50 men from Winnebago County served in the 47th, but none are listed as musicians.

Event

Civil War

Made

Horstmann Brothers & Company

Material

Wood/Leather/Fiber/Paint

People

Briggs, George

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