Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Ludwig Drums Co. is one of the most well-known names worldwide today, and the WWI Era was when the name first really rose to prominence. The Ludwig Drum Company was established in 1909 by William F. & Theobald Ludwig, sons of a German immigrant to the United States. William Jr. had been a professional drummer, playing with circuses and touring vaudeville shows, along with the occasional skating-rink gig. Since this work was irregular, he and his brother, Theobald, opened a drum shop in Chicago; they called it Ludwig & Ludwig. The company started with a concept for the design and manufacture of a functional bass drum pedal.
The company added new products to its catalog, such as snare drums and timpani, in 1916. In 1917, Ludwig signed a deal to build rope drums to support World War I. Theobald Ludwig died in 1918, and William continued on his own. By 1923, the factory was the largest drum manufacturer in the world, employing 240 workers.
This is a very nice wooden rope field drum from the WWI era, clearly paint marked with U.S. on the side, indicating military issue. It still has the original Manufacturer's maker tag around the side vent:
GENUINE
Ludwigold
LUDWIG & LUDWIG
CHICAGO, U.S.A.
The drum is 16 inches in diameter with a height of 14 inches, and is full size with 15 inch heads. Both the top and bottom heads are intact, and the top is marked with the LUDWIG & LUDWIG name, while the bottom has the SELECTED CROWN-HEAD logo on the bottom. We have seen this "Crowned Cow" logo on other WWI issue drums from makers such as Gretsch.
The drum is complete, with all ropes and leather tensioning fittings intact. We do not know however if they can still withstand being tightened to a usable tension. The original wound leather / gut snare cords are still intact and functional as well. The drum comes complete with two LUDWIG 2S marked drum sticks, marked also with JOHN TIRKOT CO. on the other side.
A great example of a U.S. WWI Era Field drum, ready to add to your collection!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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