IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR 'SNARING' SIDE DRUMS
Year: 1886

page_text: I THOMAS RAWSON of 114 Heaton Lane Stockport in the County of Lancaster
Bandmaster do hereby declare the nature of my invention for " IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR 'SNARING' SIDE DRUMS" and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
"
"
In order to accentuate or sharpen the sound of side drums it is usual to stretch
strings or cords tightly across the parchment at the lower end so that when the
drum is struck upon the upper end these strings, or "snares as they are called,
spring out, and snap back again onto the parchment and thus produce a sharp
rattling sound.
These strings or
" snares are usually made of gut the two ends being tied
together and the whole formed into a double loop. One part of this double loop is
hitched over a button on one side of the drum and the opposite part is passed over
a hook at the opposite side of the same so that the four strings or snares lie
side by side across the parchment on the end of the drum the shank of the hook
being screwed and provided with a winged nut by which it can be tightened.
The strings or "snares cannot be arranged in this way without crossing each
other at some point and in consequence there has always been a difficulty in keeping
the "
snares" parallel to each other but not touching, which is the position in which
they produce the best effect.
"
"
"3
My invention is intended to remedy this defect and to increase the sharpness of
the sound.
The nature of my invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed
will be readily understood or reference to the accompanying drawings and the
following explanation thereof.
Figs. 1, 2 and 3. are different elevations of a side drum with my improvements
shown as applied thereto, and Fig. 4 is a plan or underneath view of the same.
a, a is the metal body or cylinder of the drum, b, b the hoops and c, c the parchment
heads, d, d are the string or "snares."
On one side of the drum (Fig. 1.) I fix a stud e, e through which passes a screwed
bracket or book f, f (Fig. 5) provided with a regulating nut g, g.
The head of this bracket or hook is made with three notches 1. 2. 3.
At the other side of the drum (Fig. 2) I fix a stud (Figs. 6 and 7) which is
provided with two necks h, and i of different diameters.

page_text: In "snaring" a side drum according to my invention I first make a knot on one
end of the string and hitch it in the notch 1. of the hook f, 1 then carry it across
the drum head and pass it round the neck h of the stud (Figs. 6 and 7) then back
again across the head, then through the notch 2, next round the neck i and back
again, and lastly through the notch 3 at the back of which I form a knot at the
other end of the string and then tighten all up by means of the screwed nut g, G.
By these means the four strings or "snares" will be stretched parallel and equi-
distant without crossing and will produce a greatly improved effect.
Fig. 8 represents a double hook, and Figs. 9. 10. 11. and 12. show four other forms
of hook which may be used in place of Fig. 5.
"
In order to give greater elasticity to the strings or "snares I sometimes place
between them a curved spring plate k, k as shewn at Figs. 2. 3. 6. and 7.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
"
•
First. The improved apparatus or devices for "snaring" side drums, whereby
the strings or snares are stretched parallel and equidistant, without crossing
each other substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings
annexed.
Secondly. The combination with such improved devices for " snaring" side
drums of a suitable spring substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
on the drawings annexed.