Stadden Full 3rd Guards Band 1815 (2 Viewers)

[trooper]

Yo Trooper,

Thanks for clarifying the uniforms. I only have that old book by Jack Cassin Scott on military bands and those Historex info sheets.

I would be interested in seeing more pics of pre-Napoleonic British bands, including militia if you have any. Any idea on how the bass drum was actually supported???

Rgds Victor

Hi Victor,
For some unknown reason there are not all that many illustrations of British bands of that period. I shall go through my files and see what I can find, but that might take some time. I know I have several pics of individual musicians that might be of interest to you. Although the drummers were part of the regiment the musicians were paid for by the officers, many of them being civilians. Consequently the bands varied tremendously depending on the depth of the officer's purse, the guards, for example, being a "wealthy" regiment could afford a more elaborate establishment than some of the line.
The bass drums were carried either on a simple loop over the drummer's head or by double straps looping over both shoulders and crossing at the back. It's a pity that the forum doesn't have a uniform section. I am sure that it would be a popular and useful addition. Perhaps the lovely Sharon will consider it. Hope this helps.
regards,
Alan

 

[trooper]

Yo Trooper.

I would be interested in seeing more pics of pre-Napoleonic British bands, including militia if you have any. Any idea on how the bass drum was actually supported???

Rgds Victor

Aspreviously promised Victor here are some musician illustrations. We start with a cymbalist and a bass drummer of the 1st Guards. The bass drummer is wearing a loop around his neck under the jacket with a hook protruding between the buttonholes connecting to a ring on the top of the drum. We then move on to a cymbalist and the corps of drums of the 3rd Guards. I'll sort out some of the line infantry shortly.

 

[blaster]

Hello Alan,

Thanks for those Pics! Absolutely wonderful! Think I need to break out the old Historex stuff and get cracking...
It looks like the cymbalist and bass drummer are pre and post Waterloo period, based on the tunic lacing and other details. One note on the headgear for the 1st foot guards. It looks like the turban wrapped around an earlier Mameluke tarboush, then a mirliton? The mirliton shape is obvious from the 3rd Foot guards tambourin pic.

It isn't clear from the pic how the bass drum was suspended by a ring. In this case, it appears that the bass drum was slung quite low (is this right?) with the ring visible and suspended from the top. I presume that the strap (not obvious) came direct from the neck to hook onto the ring. In a bass drum, Was the ring fixed direct to the bass drum shell? In the side drum, I understand that the rings were fixed to the hoops.

Rgds Victor

 

[trooper]

One note on the headgear for the 1st foot guards. It looks like the turban wrapped around an earlier Mameluke tarboush, then a mirliton? The mirliton shape is obvious from the 3rd Foot guards tambourin pic.

It isn't clear from the pic how the bass drum was suspended by a ring. In this case, it appears that the bass drum was slung quite low (is this right?) with the ring visible and suspended from the top. I presume that the strap (not obvious) came direct from the neck to hook onto the ring. In a bass drum, Was the ring fixed direct to the bass drum shell? In the side drum, I understand that the rings were fixed to the hoops.

Rgds Victor

Hi Victor, from the fragments of information available I would agree with you regarding the headgear. The ring on the bass drum is fixed directly to the shell. I have seen other similar drums and there is a small brass plate with the ring attached, the suspension belt goes under the tunic and around the neck with a hook protruding between the lower buttons. One such belt I have seen had a dog lead type snaphook but the majority were just plain hooks.
Side drums were, as you say, attached to the hoops. Alan

 

[blaster]

Hi Alan,

thanks for that nugget of info on a plate and ring attached to the bass drum shell. I agree that the info is sometimes fragmentary but when in doubt, go with the visual. Lots of modelling inspiration here.

Rgds Victor