Presentation Snare Drum

Side (snare) drum by W. S. Tompkins, Yonkers, New York, 1860 (NMM 10141). This ornately decorated presentation drum was commissioned for the drummer Thomas J. Hellrigle, by several citizens of Dayton, Ohio. The mahogany shell features a field of stars arranged in concentric circles around a large central star. There are ten leather tugs cut in the shape of shields, each with the initials T.J.H. engraved on small silver-plated shields affixed to the tug. A large, silver-plated shield attached directly to the drum shell is engraved with Hellrigle's name, along with the date of the presentation: 20 August 1860. Side (snare) drums were typically built for use by marching drummers. Consequently, there is an extra length of rope attached for slinging the instrument over the drummer's shoulder. The tall shell (15-3/4 inches) and large head diameter (17 inches) are designed to make a low, loud sound that could be easily heard by troops marching behind the band, as was the custom during the mid-19th century.