Horstmann
Horstmann from a Drum-making Perspective
William H. Horstmann emigrated to the United States in 1815 from Germany. Before coming to the States, he apprenticed as a passementerie, focusing on ornamental fringe, lace, and tassels. A year later, 1816, he established his business in Philadelphia joining a local coach lace maker Frederick Hoeckley. By 1828, Horstmann had started his own business, not only specializing in coach laces and trim, but also military goods.
The Horstmann records indicate that a few skilled employees were hired in each department, and other workers would be under their supervision. This appears to be the case in the drum shop located in building 4 of the Hexamar General Surveys. (right). Employee records show that Albert Cullom was hired in July of 1847 to work in the drum shop. Philadelphia business directories state that Cullom was a cabinet maker in 1848-1849, which would provide him the woodworking expertise needed to make drums. In later years, his occupation is listed as a drum maker. He stayed in this role at the firm until he left the company in 1874. This would lead us to believe that the Horstmann company began making drums when Cullom was hired in 1847.
By the 1850s, the drum shop was in full swing. In an article from the Sunday Ledger dated July 3, 1853, "There is also a Drum Department - about one third of the drums used in this country sound their revielle in this establishment." Comparatively speaking, the drum shop was a small operation as compared to other Horstmann departments that consistently held many employees such as the tassel and loom departments.
Thanks to good record keeping, drums can be dated with a high degree of accuracy by both the address listed and company name. Earlier drums carry the address "51 North 3rd St.", while later drums display "5th and Cherry" and "Chestnut Street" addresses. Furthermore, variations of the company name aid the dating process.
In 1831, the company opened a branch in New York City advertising as "Manufacturers and Importers of Military Trimmings." I have not yet found a drum with a Horstmann label that included a New York address. All drums that I have studied carry a Philadelphia address.
Horstmann Drums
Wm. H. Horstmann and Sons painted eagle drum measuring 16" Diameter by 16" Tall. Horstmann, Bringhurst, Klemm, and other eastern Pennsylvania manufacturers utilized a similar eagle motif in the years leading up to the American Civil War. Some of the unique characteristics are the "block" rays of sun bursting out of the clouds, eagle wings being very narrow close to the body and swelling to a lar
A common tack design and nail pattern seen on many of the earlier Horstmann drums. Placing nails along the seam of a scarf joint kept the piece of wood from raising, while the brass tacks secured the inner portion of the joint, as well as being a decorative addition to the drum. Even though some designs were used predominately by one maker, more than often, others would use the same design, makin
17" diameter by 16" tall.
This contract eagle design is indicative of a Philadelphia manufacturer. There are five unique contract eagle designs that were used in Philadelphia. This one I have termed Pattern I. The painting would have been outsourced to a local artist who may have been doing work for a multiple drum makers around town. Therefore, the same design will be seen on drums from a varie
This tack design is in no way unique to the Horstmann firm, but was used by other makers during the Civil War. Two parallel lines of tacks with a circle centered around the vent and arrows facing towards the counter hoops. Brass tacks like these have solid brass shanks making them easier to peen over than modern tacks made of steel.
This label was used by the Horstmann Company starting in 1862. The firm's name changed in 1893 to "The William H. Horstmann Co." Therefore, this drum was most likely made between 1862-1865 taking all the information into account.
Pre-Civil War Horstmann labeled drum. 16 3/4" diameter by 16 3/4" tall. The eagle design on this drum does not conform with the standard "contract" elements. The square styled sunbursts and lack of red ribbon add to its earlier construction.
Again, we see an iron nailed seam with identical tack pattern as seen above.
William H. Horstmann and Sons field drum label indicating a manufacture date of 1847-1854. Assuming the firm began manufacturing drums prior to the hiring on Albert Cullom, this drum could have been made as early as 1843.
Horstmann Bros. and Co. bass drum 26" diameter by 19" wide. As seen in period images, this drum sports a double tensioning system. Instead of pulling one set of leather drum ears toward the opposite hoop, there are two sets that are pulled inwards.
The eagle motif is interesting as it does not conform to most other Horstmann painted drums. The biggest difference is the eagle's head is facing t
As seen in the photo, this bass drum uses two brass carry hooks, which may be later additions. The four holes in between could have been for a single carry hook, but that is just conjecture. The tack design consists of two parallel lines of brass tacks with circles surrounding each vent hole. The vent holes themselves are decorated with bone/ivory inserts. Between the vent holes, tacks are arr
"MANUFACTURED/ BY/ HORSTMANN, BROTHERS & CO./ Military Furnishers,/ Fifth & Cherry Streets,' PHILADELPHIA. Horstmann produced goods at that address from 1862-1893. Given the fact that the eagle motif includes 34 stars, some would argue that its manufacture solidly rests in 1862, as each star represents a state.
Wm. H. Horstmann & Sons bass drum measuring 28" diameter by 21" tall. This drum has been slightly cut-down equally on both sides. The tack design would have fully connected the large oval.
One of the most interesting aspects of this drum are the ivory vent inserts. As seen here, they have been threaded, as well as the nut to secure the insert.
There are two labels pasted inside the bass drum opposite the vent holes. The label dates the drum being produced from 1843-1854. In between the labels a very thin piece of wood has been applied, the idea being to reinforce the center from possible cracks or wood failure.
Another pre-Civil War painted drum measuring 16" diameter by 11 1/2" tall drum shell. This particular drum was carried by James A. Nicholson of Co. D Pennsylvania Volunteer Corps. Nicholson enlisted April 24, 1861 and was promoted to Principal Musician August 1, 1863. He mustered out with the rest of his regiment June 11, 1864.
A simple tack design adorns the shell consisting of one large oval with a single circle of tacks centered around the vent. An interesting iron hook to hold the guts was a later addition to the drum requiring the removal of a tack.
The hoops stand 1 3/4" tall and like many other Horstmann drums, have no nails to reinforce the scarf joint. The scarfs are quite thin and simply glued together.
The brilliant eagle motif is not what would later be termed a “contract” design. This early eagle features no ribbon, as seen on many later examples. A close examination reveals that it was fully hand-painted without the use of stencils. Many war-time artists utilized stencils that allowed them to complete large orders in a timely manner.
A plain Ash drum shell 16" diameter by 12" tall. Here we can see the full tack design of one large oval surrounding a single circle of tacks.
"MANUFACTURED/ BY/ HORSTMANN, BROTHERS & CO./ MILITARY FURNISHERS,/ No. 723 Chestnut Street,/ Adjoining the Masonic Hall/ PHILADELPHIA. The address indicates a date of manufacture between 1859-1862.
Horstmann & Sons produced and sold their wares at this location between 1830 and 1857, after which time they moved their factory operations to Fifth and Cherry Streets, and their storefront to a separate property at 223 Chestnut Street.
Incredible presentation drum manufactured by Horstmann Bros. & Co. and presented to Chas. S. Walkley in August of 1862. 17 3/4" diameter by 11" tall. Walkley was a member of company C of the 58th Pa Volunteers. He would go on to survive the war, but did receive a wound in the leg in 1864.
Unique tack design which features two vertical rows of tacks with a star pattern centered around the vent hole, which includes a bone insert.
The painting not only includes information about the owner, but a beautiful depiction of the Pennsylvania State Seal.
14 1/2" diameter by 13" tall eagle emblazoned drum. Smaller than the "contract" size drums normally seen of 16" diameter. The label reads, "MANUFACTURED BY HORSTMANN, BROTHERS & CO. MILITARY FURNISHERS, No. 723 Chestnut Street, ADJOINING THE MASONIC HALL, PHILADELPHIA." This would give a manufacture date of 1859-1862.
The tack design utilizes the "star" pattern as seen on other Horstmann drums centered inside an oval of tacks. Some restoration has been completed such as new rope and leather braces. The snare strainer is most likely a later addition as well.
16 1/2" diameter by 13" tall. The drum has been slightly cut down from the top as evidenced by the sun bursts. It has long been thought that drums were cut down after the war, but photographic evidence shows that cut down drums were used during war time as well.
The label reads, “Wm. H. Horstmann & Sons/ Military Furnishers/ 51 N. 3rd Street/ Philadelphia," giving it a manufacture date of 1843-1854. This drum is ID’d to Nelson R. Masters of Co. A 67th O.V.I. wounded in the right foot in 1865 in Petersburg, VA.
Label reads “W.M. H. Horstmann & Son/ 51N. 3rd St./ Philadelphia”. Ca. 1843-1854. This drum is part of the Thomas Espy Post collections in Carnegie, Pa.
"This drum was used in training the St. Clair Guards prior to its mustering into the Civil War as the 62nd Pennsylvania. The militia would meet next to Captain Thomas Espy’s white farmhouse, now the site of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church, 2005 Mohawk Rd., Upper St. Clair, PA. The drum was previously in the possession of Nancy Philips, great-great granddaughter of Captain Espy, who grew up i
Various Horstmann labeled drums
Horstmann drum carried by Cassius Freeborn of Company L, 9th Rhode Island Volunteers.
16 1/2" Diameter by 16" tall Horstmann Bros. labeled eagle drum.
Horstmann Bros. and Company painted drum. Cut down on the top from its original height leaving it 14" tall.
Horstmann Bros. & Co. labeled drum. Unique is the painting on this drum. 17" diameter by 13 1/4" tall.
16 1/2" diameter by 15 1/4" tall Horstmann Bros. & Co. labeled drum. Appears to have new counter hoops and updated snare strainer.
16 3/4" diameter by 12 1/2" tall Horstmann Bros. & Co labeled drum.