Regulation Civil War Issue Eagle Drum by Contractor George Kilbourn

Regulation Civil War Issue Eagle Drum by Contractor George Kilbourn – Eagle motif drums were used by the army and various state militias starting in the 18^th century; in the 1840s, the U.S. Army started to regulate the specific designs of eagle drums used by Federal troops, thereby shifting away from the use of individually designed eagle drums to the use of distinctly more uniform eagle motifs. During the Civil War, eagle drums became the standard Federal issue drum for Union Army bands and field musicians; several contractors constructed these drums during the war years.

This fine example of a Federal Regulation eagle drum was constructed by well known, pre-Civil War contractor, George Kilbourn of Albany, New York. Kilbourn (according to the reference work – Directory  of American Military Goods Dealers & Makers 1785-1915 compiled by Bruce Bazelon and William McGuinn) was listed as a carpenter at 111 Orange St. in Albany, in 1846; by 1847, he was listed as a drum maker, at 111 Orange St. and 130 Orange St. in 1849; from 1850-1857, Kilbourn was listed as a drum maker located at 119 Orange St.; by 1858, he was still listed as a drum maker, but now at 147 Clinton St. By 1860, only George’s brother William was listed as a drum maker. George Kilbourn’s label, located inside this drum, reads:

“PREMIUM BASS AND SNARE

DRUMS,

TAMBOURINES, BANJOS,

MADE AND REPAIRED BY

GEORGE KILBOURN,

119 ORANGE STREET

ALBANY, NY”

Given the enumeration of Kilbourn’s location at 119 Orange St. in Albany, this drum was manufactured by him between 1850 and 1857, prior to the onset of the Civil War. This drum remains in overall excellent condition – the polychrome painted eagle and additional patriotic decorative elements remain vivid and have not been re-touched or over-painted; the flesh hoops retain their red hue – the lower hoop appears to have been broken during the period of use and repaired during that time, as period, copper rivets and a thin iron band were utilized to make the repair; the bent maple body of the drum is in great condition and displays a significant, brass tack pattern; viewing into the sound hole, George Kilbourn’s label is clearly visible; the roping is old, but may not be the original roping; the tension ears are correct, but seemingly more recent replacements; the upper head is original and displays two areas of repair (one appears to be period); the lower head is a more recent replacement; the drum appears to be in its original size and not cut down – Height: 15.5”; Diameter – 16.5”. Overall, this is a fine example of a pre-Civil War to Civil War period, Federal Regulation eagle drum that retains its original decorative, patriotic motif paint, tack pattern, height and diameter and maker’s label.