4284 VERY RARE DIMINUTIVE SIZE CIVIL WAR DRUMMER BOY

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,250.00 USD
Estimated at 4,500.00 - 8,500.00 USD
REGULATION SNARE DRUM. The standard regulation CW drum is appreciably larger than this example. Most CW drummer boys were issued standard regulation CW drums, which are notably larger than this example, this is about ¾ scale of a standard CW drum and is the same quality as the larger standard drums. The painted eagle is the exact same copy at ¾ scale. CW drummer boys were young and sometimes very young. It is estimated that over 100 thousand drummer boys that volunteered were under 15 years old. 300 of them were less than 13 years old and 25 were age 10 and under and some as young as 8 or 9 years old. This is extraordinary when we think of the tremendous danger for a young boy to be near the front of the line beating his drum during battle. Obviously many were killed as this was a most dangerous job by these young lads. This example is a very rare example because of its size. SIZE: 14" in diameter and 12" high. CONDITION: Very good with original paint which is above average for most surviving eagle drums. The snares are missing. Both heads are complete and tied. Both hoops are complete and retain much of their original red paint. Some soiling or staining on the bottom head and hoops and there are weathered areas on the body with cracking and raising. Still sound and solid. The vent hole is centered in the eagle shield. Ropes and tightness are all good restorations. (02-23241/JDJ). $4,500-8,500.