Original U.S. Civil War Regulation Snare Drum by Lyon & Healy of Chicago

Original Item: Only One Available:  This is an absolutely stunning example of a Civil War Snare Drum manufactured by the firm of Lyon & Healy of Chicago, Illinois. George W. Lyon, a native of Northborough, Massachusetts; and Patrick J. Healy, born in Mallow, Ireland, founded the company in 1864, after they moved from Boston to start a sheet music shop for music publisher Oliver Ditson. Determining Lyon & Healy's history is complicated because its building and company records were destroyed in two fires, including the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

We can find newspaper evidence of Lyon & Healy selling instruments as early as October of 1864, and from the construction and design of this example, we believe it to be of Civil War manufacture, if not directly following the Civil War.

The drum is 14½” tall and roughly 17” in diameter. It retains its original ropes, some of which show heavy fraying. The leather rope tighteners are all period, but some of these are either loose or missing some material. The strings on the bottom are now broken.

Both skins are well-retained with some staining and heavy wear from use. The drum is stamped into the top band:

LYON & HEALY
CHICAGO

Despite the damage, the skins still looks great, and the drum looks correct and undamaged for display. A glorious example of a Civil War drum by a well-known Chicago maker, ready for further research and display!