Snare drum
Date1890-1910 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
ModelPrussian Drum model
Serial No.None
SignedNoneMarkingsPainted Eagle and shieldDescriptionPrussian military drums became popular in American marching bands, concert bands, and orchestras in the late 19th century. The name refers to the Prussian Empire, a dynastic powerhouse in central Europe, which lasted from 1701 to 1918. The drumheads are adjusted by turning the metal tension rods. Eight snares (strips of twisted hide) are stretched across its lower head, producing a sharp staccato when the drum is struck. Mail-order companies like Lyon & Healy catered to buyers nationwide, offering the latest brands and models in catalogs, much like major department stores. Rosewood shell with eagle decal. Ash rims with painted scroll pattern. Single tension with eight metal rods. Snare adjuster.DimensionsShell height (with rims): 201 mm (1-15/16 in)
Head diameter: 424 mm (16-5/8 in)ProvenanceNo known provenance. Published References"New Gallery Opens October 10; Dedication Set for October 9." _Shrine to Music
Museum Newsletter_ 9, no. 1 (October, 1981):1.
"Gallery I Dedicated October 9." _Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter_ 9, No. 2 (January 1982): 4.
_The Shrine to Music Museum: A Pictorial Souvenir_ (Vermillion: 1988): 58.
Jayson Dobney. _Innovations in American Snare Drums 1850-1920_. MM Thesis,
University of South Dakota, 2003: 131-133.
Arianna Van Kley and Michael Suing. _Of Thee I Sing: Origin, Heritage, and Patriotism_. National Music Museum, 2026: 76-77.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number02876
On View
On view
1917-1919 ca.
