Original Civil War Musician’s Base Drum Beater, as in Gettysburg Museum (SOLD)

This is a great Civil War musical piece being offered, it is a Base Drum Beater. It is turned from a single piece of American walnut to include the spherical head. This attractive period beater measure approximately 15 inches in length and shows the desirable evidence of age and originality.

The head is lead weighted and retains its original milk paint finish. Much scarcer than standard drumsticks, as these beaters were generally used singly, rather than in pairs (see period photograph).

As such, they were utilized in fewer number because the typical military band had no more than one and rarely two base drums included in any single band. There is a very similar example in the Gettysburg NPS Museum and in the Civil War National Museum (see pictures).

This unique piece remains in nice condition for its age. Over the years I had several pairs of drumsticks, but this is the first Base Drum Beater.