Sunday, May 11, 2008

G.H. Logan Bass Drum

John Hamann sent us these photos together the the following information:

This is a bass drum that measures 35" x 16" overall. It has been re-done by Cooperman. I bought it at an antique store in West Virginia about 8 years ago. It had a triangular metal tag on the rim that said York & Sons (but I lost it). However, there is a paper tag inside that reads "G.H. Logan, Drum Manufacturer". The metal on the leather pulls is original, as are the hooks.

[Note: John Hamann mentioned the two most noteworthy design features of this drum. First, the leather tugs are wrapped in a metal band with a stylus-like bottom -- a nice feature that's also function -- the metal keeps the rope pinched rather than relying solely on leather. I've seen many drums where all that remains of the tugs is the metal bands, still doing their job of pinching the rope to create head tension, the leather portion having long ago disintegrated. And, the clips or hooks through which the rope passes are constructed of at least two pieces, a hook and a pin, not forged or melted together. These hooks are finally machined. I think that those feature are evidence of post-Civil War manufacture, perhaps late 19th century or early 20th century.]

Consistent with that dating, one George H. Logan of Braddock, Pennsylvania, received patent no. 1,018,767, Feb. 27, 1912, for improvements to a snare drum, and George H. Logan of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvana assigned half of his patent no. 1,589,887 Jun. 22, 1926, relating to improved shell construction and means for tightening heads on drums. (Braddock and Pittsburgh are 9 miles apart.)


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