I also read that pepper drums were built buy the soistman drum co. Camden N. J.

Lyon & Healy?

Thanks Buckie B, I saw a couple of Lyon and Healy drums online that look very similar. One was a bass drum with similar inlaid hoops. Same thumb screw on the snare examples I found. I saw that thumb screw on other drums of that period. So far it looks like lyon and healy comes closest to what I have.

It just may be, this is one that forum member Kevins had a few years back !! It`s 15 3/4"x4" Looks almost excact !!

Hey Oddball. yes, that looks very similar, I'm thinking Lyon and Healy. Thanks for the pic. I wonder what to do now, should I just clean it up a little? Keep the original heads (reso is broke) or try to get it back to playing condition? Or is it to fragile for that? I don't know how those rims would hold up. Thanks everyone! Larry

It should`ve had a paper lable inside, those are known to dissappear !!

re: I wonder what to do now, should I just clean it up a little ?

If it was my drum I would restore it as close as possible to its original condition. This would be the same as "playable" condition but I would not play it other than a few taps or rolls when setting it up because drums like these are truly museum pieces and should be preserved as such. They were made by craftsmen in a different age, to perform music styles far different from what we accept as the norm today. There were no microphones or amplified sound systems or mylar heads at that time. The inlay work on the hoops is astounding but will only deteriorate should anyone start pounding out rimshots on them. Once the drum is restored I would either display it in a showcase under glass, or donate it to a museum for posterity. You might list it for sale but more often than not the contemporary market "value" of antique classic drums is so little as to be insulting, especially when considering their important place in American music history.

Thanks Buckie B, I agree with you completely. I just wasn't sure about restoration. I see all these shows on tv about antiques, and how items should be left in their original condition. I didn't know if that would apply to this drum. Also on close examination, I think the rims either have some kind of wrap or it is painted on, not inlaid. Thanks for your help!

Here is a close up of the rim. Notice how it doesn't line up in the middle, which makes me think it is some kind of wrap.