Interesting snare. I'm really glad you posted this because I have an early 20th Cent. bass with a similar tensioning system (pic below), and I've been trying to learn more about its origin.

My bass has the exact same thumb nuts as your snare which pull the flattened-head tension rods anchored in the opposite rim, but my rims are single flanged while yours are doubled. I'm having the same problem as you are regarding the heads. These rims were designed for calfskin heads with really narrow flesh hoops. The metal hoops on modern heads are too wide for these rims. They fit inside the rims just fine, but there isn't enough clearance for the single-tension rods and thumb screws. I'm considering grinding small notches in the head's hoop to allow clearance for the tension rods. (the real solution of course would be to have calfskin heads custom made).

Similar hardware doesn't necessarily mean that my bass is also a CONN, because hardware was shared among various manufacturers during this period. I'd like to see if anyone chimes in here with any more info on your snare or its hardware. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

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Can you post some better close up pics of the flange and the ends of the tension rods?

I have the bass apart, but I'll take a few detail shots tonight. Primary difference with my hardware is my tension rod goes right through the flange on the batter rim and anchors with a flattened head, while your tension rod goes into a tube lug anchored into the rim. I know my bass came off a Wurlitzer Calliope, but I'm still not sure of the manufacturer. Probably Leedy.

Tune in tomorrow for more pics.

Mike

As promised, here's the detail shots of my bass' tensioning rods. I threw in a shot of the wood grommet only because I love the workmanship that went into this tiny detail. Something we'd never see today. Note again that without the use of extended ear holes on these steel rims (as are used on all modern rims), the tension rods passed right through the rims leaving little room for the head hoops. Not the best system.

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Mike

That's very interesting Mike. Thanks for the pics. Seems to me that there is not much relationship between my snare and your bass other than the rods going thru a flange and terminating in "kind of a ball". We'll probably never know what drum you have. The differences are that my snare (as well as my bass drum just 700-some SN higher) has a metal vent grommet, the thumb nuts are machine pressed onto the tension rods (yours appear to be cast....interesting, never seen that shape cast before), the rods thread into a barrel which ends in the "flattened ball" (my "balls" are more like flattened rubber balls, yours appear to be formed "buttons" or half round), my snare has a triple flange while yours is double, (my bass has wood hoops). Come to think of it, Its pretty unusual to have a bass drum with metal flanges isn't it? Never seen that in vintage. All in all, your bass is pretty cool considering it's uniqueness! Not sure how hardware would attach, so maybe it was a marching bass? Are there holes or mounts for straps? My 24" CONN bass was definitely a floor model. I'll get some pics up soon as I need a calfskin head and some tension rods to replace those missing. Oh...also my bass has the middle lathe truned "stanchion" with the separate flat button to secure the tension rod in the middle.

You're right, totally different tensioning system between our drums, but it's interesting to look at these various tensioning solutions that existed before everything became standardized. No, my bass (first pic below) was not a marching bass. From my research, it came off a calliope used on an old, historic carousel ride here in Connecticut. The steel rims are screwed directly into the two wooden cradle pieces. The second pic shows a similar bass and how these were mounted on the calliope. Note that the same steel rims are used on both basses. Quite unusual, even for that period.

Best of luck to you finding the right hardware to complete your drum. I know it won't be easy, but the results should be very rewarding. Thanks for sharing.

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Mike