Drum #4

This is a 32"x12" bass drum with a single ply mahogany shell. The calfskin heads read Cupheag Pioneers, Stratford CT, and have and indian wearing a head dress. There is no visible artisit signature and the painting is only on one head. There is a sigle point of carry eyebolt on one side of the drum hooks that are screwed into the rims. The rims a shade of red that is very close to the vermillion color used by the Brown drum making family iin the early 1800s. The head with the artwork has one small tear and a larger tear measuring about 5" in length. The opposite head has a large hole in the center of the head. Construction looks to be very late 1800s to early 1900s. There is no badge or makers label but there is a hole in one side that looks like it was either for mounting to a pole or for an electrical cord. The electrical cord would have been used for a lightbulb to keep the head taught.

Photos by Haley Armstead

The Company of Fifers & Drummers is a non-profit organization formed in 1965 to perpetuate the historical significance and folk traditions of fife and drum music, and to foster the spirit of fellowship among fifers and drummers everywhere.