This is a Lyon and Healy early 1900s Antique Military snare drum that dates to around 1909. This drum began its journey in Chicago - manufactured at the Lyon and Healy factory & salesroom located 213, 214, and 217 South Canal Street on the corner of State & Monroe back in the day per label inside the drum shell. It is held together with 8 metal claw style tension rods and uses a decorative thumb screw style strainer with a 6 strand gut on the resonant calf skin head. The bare shell measures 15" diameter x 6" deep. Assembled its measure is 16” x 7.5” with wood hoops. The inside wood appears to be a vertical grain mahogany. Written in pencil on the batter calf head is: Frank & Nel, Patten NE. - Nel Kidwiler whose father was the first white child born in Hardin County IA. Hardin County was founded around 1851.
My fascination with the glory days of Chicago made drums comes from my south-side upbringing and as a young boy in 1962 I first heard Sandy Nelson’s “Let There Be Drums”. The seed was planted and I became smitten! Today I enjoy playing drums, recording original music & own the Beat Boogie Quality Custom Drums Company.