The "eagle drum" was a Civil War standard. The U.S. Army had standardized infantry drum decoration in the 1840s: a national eagle clutching a shield, surrounded by stars on a blue field, topped with a sunburst, painted on a red drum shell with white rope tension. The design had been adapted from earlier "eagle drums" carried by state militias since the 1790s — drums were considered the corps' symbol, important enough to be lavishly decorated with national or unit emblems. By the Civil War, the standardized eagle drum was the most common Federal infantry side drum, manufactured by the dozens at clothing depots in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York and issued to nearly every Federal regiment.

This W. Britain figure depicts a Federal infantry drummer carrying the iconic eagle drum — the red-shell, eagle-fronted standard Civil War side drum. He wears the regulation Federal infantry frock coat in dark blue, light blue trousers, dark forage cap, and the white cross-belt that supported the drum sling on his left hip. The drumsticks are held at the ready position; the drum sounds the calls that move the regiment from camp to march to battle line. Pair this figure with 146th NY Zouave Drummer for a multi-regimental drum line; with Union Infantry Bass Drummer for a complete regimental music ensemble; or with Union Forever Marching Set for a marching column with cadence.

Scale: 1/30 (60mm). Matte-painted metal. W. Britain model 31381. From the American Civil War range. Single foot figure with drum, supplied painted and ready for display.