Repro Drumstix

[33rdaladrummer]

I recently purchased what I was told were copies of sticks from the collection of Mark Elrod, author of A Pictorial History of Civil War Era Musical Instruments.

I am posting some photos here to see if anyone has any comments about the accuracy of these repros. I think the rings are carved much deeper and wider than the originals and I have never seen treble clefs nor eighth notes etched into or drawn on any originals.

I have managed to resell some of these being sure to point out to the buyers the differences when compared to originals.

It is amazing to me how difficult it is to obtain an accurate reproduction of so simple an item as a drumstick.

These sticks were made by Garman Bowers. CAVEAT EMPTOR

On the other hand, I purchased some sticks from E.J. Thomas Mercantile and they are very well made. I have not seen the originals from which they were copied, but they seem to be consistent with the characteristics of similar surviving sticks. In fact, they are very similar to the original maple sticks shown in the photo below. I only wish they were available in a smaller diameter and made of rosewood or cocobolo.

I have attached a close up photo that compares the rings on the original stick to the ones on the repro, a photo of two originals, and a photo of the hickory repros.

[Hardtack Herring]

Re: Repro Drumstix

Those are simply terrible. What is the deal with the music notes on them? The shape of the sticks look good but the rings are way off. They look much deeper.

The sticks you had made up by Joe Carter are better in every way. They are the best repros I have ever seen.

The musical notes on those sticks are ridiculous. To even call those copies of original Civil War sticks is sad.

Other than the rings and the musical notes they are very nice looking sticks.

I was expecting this batch of sticks to be exact reproductions. I can't help but feel bad for you. It is almost like if I were to order what I expected to be an exact copy of a Confederate jacket that was cut from an original pattern, made with material using the exact weave, dyes and construction methods only to have it delivered with a patch of a rebel flag and Hank William Jr. sewn on the back. A patch that can not be removed.

Lesson learned I guess. It seems to me this guys sticks are better suited in the world of ancient fifes and drums. They certainly have no place in the Authentic Civil War Community as they currently are.

As those sticks currently are, I think they belong right along side with the Bruce and Emmett Fife and Drum book. In our wood stove at Camp George.

If he were to cut the rings not as deep and remove those stupid musical notes he very well may have some of the best Civil War sticks on the market. With the 150th of the Civil War just around the corner and the movement for more authentic field music, I would have to say he could stand a good chance to sell a bunch of sticks.

I know for a fact that the LHFD is in need of 10 sets of quality sticks. The Joe Carter batch is just about worn out now.

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Repro Drumstix

The sticks you had made up by Joe Carter are better in every way. They are the best repros I have ever seen.

The only thing I wonder about Joe's sticks is that they were a copy of a copy of an original, and we can't see the original. The copies were close, but a little off. I've attached some side by side photos of the discontinued Cooperman model from around 1990 (supposedly a copy of an original) next to Joe Carter's copy. Joe's is the darker stick. They are very nice sticks. Also, some members of Liberty Hall wanted a smaller stick for our next batch. Some of this model stick in cocobolo weighed 115 grams and some up to 140 grams. Anything over 125 is too heavy in my opinion.

With the 150th of the Civil War just around the corner and the movement for more authentic field music, I would have to say he could stand a good chance to sell a bunch of sticks.

Well, considering the fact that Mr. Bowers charges $60 for cocobolo, probably not. The last quote I got from Joe Carter was $37 for cocobolo, but alas, he lost my pattern. I wonder where I could get another copy of an original to copy. Hmmm....

[joewhitney]

Re: Repro Drumstix

I challenge anyone to prove any drum stick in existence today is original Civil War period. Drum sticks in photos from the period were so varied in shape, size and color as to not indicate any standard type, and how drum sticks were made changed so little for decades afterward that they would fit right into any photo from the period. It cracks me up that every tapered stick on ebay was apparently made during the four years the Civil War was fought, and they often sell for more than marked Civil War fifes!

You can't even trust sticks that are associated with an original drum, no more than you can necessarily trust its rope, ears or skin heads (or hoops in some cases). Often when these wore out, broke, or just looked like they needed replacing, they were, just like no Model A on the road today is driving around on the tires it had on when it left the Ford factory.

If you argue no one would alter a Civil War drum because it was considered a valuable relic, just look at all the federal eagle drums whose shells were cut down, because thinner drums became the rage after the war. Think they might have gone ahead and replaced some ears, rope, heads or drum sticks while they were sawing away at the shell?

That being said, sticks to be used at authentic events should at least be exact copies of those believed to be from the period, or look like those in the photos, and not have any signatures, symbols or other embellishments carved into them, since almost all sticks assumed to be original are plain.

Joe Whitney

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Repro Drumstix

I challenge anyone to prove any drum stick in existence today is original Civil War period.

This is not definitive proof, but...

I took photos of this stick at Massasas a couple years ago. If I remember correctly, it was picked up from the battlefield according to the museum.

[33rdaladrummer]

Re: Repro Drumstix

Now these sticks do a good job of illustrating Joe's point. The ebony sticks are most likely legit. The rosewood pair was probably acquired by the drummer after the war.

"GREATEST HISTORY--2 sets of Drum Sticks presented to Jesse Mills With original CDV,

Original newspaper article of presentation & Lots of documents.

These two musicians were the only musicians to respond to lead the company in their charge at Newbern. Jesse Mills, a young drummer boy and John Sully the Fife-Major.

Article from Newbern Progress June 14, 1862

Camp Potter …in Co. G. 51st Regt N.Y.S.M. … to Jesse Mills, Drummer - 2 sets of drum sticks one very handsomely mounted (silver) bearing the name of the recipient and that of the donors.

The 13th Brooklyn, NYSM.. They were presented by Co. B 13th Regt. As a token of their appreciation of the gallantry of these two young men in furnishing the only music in the whole division in the march to meet the enemy at Newbern.

The silver caps on both presentation sticks Read: To / Jesse Mills / from / Co. B 13th Reg't. N.Y.S.M.

The second set of sticks show their battle use and have a cool field repair of twisted twine."