This is a wonderful and fully original Civil War snare drum in very good condition. The drum comes from a family estate in Lexington, Ohio that research shows were the descendants of a member of the 31^st Ohio Infantry.

The drum is all original. It has a maple wood body with both hoops, both heads, rope, ears, sling and drum sticks.

The body of the drum is the full regulation size with a basic tack pattern. This pattern runs in a circle around the view hole and then in two vertical lines. The finish on the wood is all original and of a nice dark hue. The bottom of the drum has a wooden pegged snare. Both hoops have the original red paint that has darkened with age matching the body of the drum. Both heads are fully intact with the usual attending stains and discoloration found on original drumheads. The rope is original throughout the drum. Some areas look to be slightly frayed but there is no major problem. All the leather “ears” are present. The woven sling is separate. It is made of interwoven white and blue material with a nice, but worn, heart shaped leather martingale on one end. The drumsticks have thick squared off ends and are of a heavy duty variety. There is no maker’s label on the inside. Overall the drum has a fantastic untouched attic fresh look.

Research into the Essington family turned up Private George Essington of Company G, 31^st Ohio Infantry.  He was born in Perry County, Ohio on September 20, 1836. He enlisted in Company G, 31^st Ohio Volunteers on September 3, 1861. He is described as 24 years old, standing 6” 0.50’ tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and by profession a farmer. His records say he was present for a skirmish at Cage’s Ford, Stones River, Hoover’s Gap, Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge. He then became sick and was assigned to the Veterans Reserve Corps. He was discharged on July 11, 1865. There is no mention in either his military or pension records of him being a Musician.

Whether or not the drum belonged to Private Essington it no doubt came down through his family and it is really a wonderful piece in its own right.

Original auction listings both mentioning and picturing the drum comes with the item as does full military and pension records for Private Essington.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!