C&F Soistmann
The Soistmanns
Frederick Arnold Soistmann was born in Germany on March 13, 1828 and died on April 29, 1885 at age 57. Occupation on death certificate: Drummaker. His presumed brother, Conrad Johann Soistmann, was born in 1818 and died on October 27, 1883 at age 65. Occupation on death certificate: Drum manufacturer
The name “Conrad Soistman” first appears in the Philadelphia City Directory in 1851 as a tailor, but it is unknown, and unlikely, that is the same Soistman that shows up in 1859 as a “cooper” at 867 N 4th. In 1860, Conrad appears again, but as a “turner” with the address of 820 N 4th. It is likely to believe that the “cooper” and “turner” Soistman are also the drum maker, since those would be skills needed to manufacture drums. Futhermore, the name "Soistman" appears in the directories with only on "n," while the labels use the spelling "Soistmann."
In 1864 - 1867, the firm “C. & F. Soistman drummanufs. 458 Dillwyn” is listed, along with Frederick Soistman and Conrad Soistman at the same address. By 1887, "Soistmann Bros." are listed at 247N. 2nd. These brothers, sons of one of the former makers, continued the drum making tradition, later, passing the torch to the famed Charles "Buck" Soistman as a fourth generation drum maker.
16 1/8" diameter by 13 3/8" tall ash drum shell. Counter hoops are 1 5/8" tall.
On February 16, 1864, Conrad and Frederick Soistmann (C. & F. Soistmann) received their first contract from the United States Quartermaster’s Department for 2,00 infantry drums at $4.90 each. Then, on October 20, 1864, the Soistmann’s were given another contract for 1,000 drums complete at $8.75 each.
The term “complete” refers to the drum arriving with sticks, sling, and drum sack. Soistmann labeled drums tend to be rough sewn on the inside, and planed smooth only on the outside. Also, the inner part of the overlap is not tapered. This was done, possibly, to speed up the production time of constructing the shell.
The Soistmann label reads, "C. & F. SOISTMANN,/ MANUFACTURERS OF ALL KINDS OF/ DRUMS,/ No. 458 Dillwin St./ PHILADELPHIA, Pa." This style of label has an ornate border.
16 1/2" diameter by 15" tall including counter hoops.
This is a stunning example of a Soistmann contract drum in un-issued condition. Slight flaking of paint in the motif, but counter hoops look to be in great shape.
A closer view of the emblazonment shows a distinct design that, even without a label, points to Philadelphia as the place of manufacture.
Another beautiful label identical to the one above. Labels were printed on larger sheets and then cut out individually to be used when needed. Clearly, cutting evenly and neatly was not a priority, as both show crookedness.
16" Diameter by 12" Tall
A wonderful example of a Soistmann contract drum shell painted with an aging eagle motif, but still very much intact and vibrant. Most of the paint flaking has been contained to the blue field and not the motif itself.
Only a single brass tack is missing from this tack design. Even though there is some flaking of the varnish and wear sections around the top and bottom portion where the flesh hoops were, the drum is very well constructed. Most Soistmann drums I've handled are consistent with this example.
Deep circular saw marks can be seen on the inside of the ash drum shell. This is very common with many Soistmann contract drums I've studied. Also, the reinforcing hoops are usually scarfed and nailed into position with iron tacks.
This close-up reveals sections of the blue field that have not oxidized as much since they were mostly covered by the flesh hoops. As you can see, the blue is similar to a robin's egg.
Other details come to light such as the subtle shading of the ribbon where it bends, the placement of the wings, as well as the shape of sun bursts.
Here we can see the shape of the eagle's head, American shield, and stars. An unusual detail about this particular motif is that it only contains twenty stars. Many times, not all the time, artists would include thirty-four stars on motifs, each representing a state in the Union.
A close-up of the talon and olive branch. Again we can see a variety of colors and shading just for the olive branch such as yellow, green, and black.
On July 26, 1864, an interesting order was placed for 100 artillery drums, complete, ¾ size at $6.75 each, and 200 artillery drums, complete, full size, at $7.50. This drum has a red painted field as opposed to the blue field, utilized for infantry, and carries on the ribbon "REG: U.S. ARTILLERY." The example to the left is an example of a "full size" artillery drum.
A display at Soldiers and Sailors Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa contains the only ¾ size artillery drum, including a Soistmann label, that I have found. When compared to the other drums in the display, it is easy to see the smaller diameter of the artillery drum on the far left.
12” Diameter by 12” tall (including counter hoops)
This brass drumstick carriage contains the engraving, "C. & F. SOISTMANN." As far I as I am aware, Soistmann was the only maker that marked stick carriages in this fashion.
16 3/8" diameter by 15 3/8" tall.
Another Soistmann labeled drum appearing in remarkably good condition. The leather braces are most certainly replacements, but the rope, hoops, heads, and even guts may very well be original to the drum.
A closeup of the motif shows a different version of the eagle emblazonment than the first two examples on this page. First of all, the eagle's head and beak are different shapes and more sharply defined. Also, the white outline of the ribbon comes to a sharp point before the "U.S.", as opposed to the more fluid and rounded shape as the first two displayed.
The rays of sun are shorter and have a distinct "V" shape to the tips. The stars also appear to be stenciled, as evidenced by them being filled in. Whereas the other two examples use three strokes of the brush to create thin lined 5-pointed stars.