DRUM, DRUM STICKS, AND DRUM STICK HOLDER FROM THE FIRST REGIMENT OF ALGERIAN RIFLEMEN, model 1860, Second Empire (1866-1869). Item number 32371.

DRUM, DRUMSTICKS, AND DRUMSTICK HOLDER OF THE 1ST ALGERIAN TIRAILLEUR REGIMENT, model 1860, Second Empire (1866-1869). 32371

Belt in compliance with the official infantry regulations of 1860 from the military Journal assigned to the 1st Algerian Tirailleurs, made of whitened buffalo leather, 10 cm wide, cut on a bias at the bottom; the two parts are connected by a brass ring, 5 cm in diameter, passing through two tabs fixed at the bottom of the belt. Suspension tabs for the drum made of buffalo leather, 15 cm high, attached to the ring.
Unfolded length of the belt is 120 cm.
Attached to the front part is a rectangular brass drumstick holder with chamfered corners, 9 cm in height x 8 cm in width. Stamped with the marking of the 1st ALGERIAN TIRAILLEUR REGIMENT and dated 1866 “1.T.A. 7 - 1866”.
Pair of mahogany drumsticks with brass fittings. The length of the drumsticks is 40.5 cm.

Drum construction includes the drum shell, two large hoops, two small rolling hoops, the drumhead, ropes, and tension rods.
Brass drum shell. 39 cm in height, 39 cm in diameter. Pulling strainer riveted to the drum, stamped with the manufacturer's mark “A. Mériel à Bayeux”, and manually engraved “1TA” marking of the 1st ALGERIAN TIRAILLEURS REGIMENT.
Drum hoops made of ash wood and pierced with 10 evenly spaced holes, lacquered in dark blue. The hoops are 4.5 and 5 cm in height and 5 mm thick.
The drumhead is made of parchment veal skin and proportioned to the size of the drum shell.
Hemp ropes used to tension the drum laced in a zigzag pattern on the shell, passing through the holes in the hoops. The circumference of the rope is 5 mm.
Tension rods made of buffalo leather.
Includes its buffalo leather belt.

NOTE:
Until December 31, 1855, there was only one regiment of Turcos (refer to the French Army by Édouard Detaille, 1885-1889 edition, Volume two, page 140). Starting from January 1, 1856, Napoleon III established two more regiments, making a total of three tirailleur regiments.
This drum model was in service until November 6, 1869, after which a ministerial note from the Clothing Office reduced its dimensions for space reasons to 24 cm in height and 30 cm in diameter.

A MÉRIEL MUSIC MERCHANT, LUTHIER:
"The Bayeux Indicator and the Echo of Bessin combined" mentions in an advertisement in 1890 the establishment of A Mériel as a Luthier in 1843 in Bayeux. In 1893 in the "Directory of artists and dramatic and musical teaching" in Bayeux: “Mériel (A.)” is listed under the section “Music Merchants, Luthiers”.

HISTORY:
The 1st Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment is a French infantry regiment of the Army of Africa.
Derived from the Algerian indigenous tirailleurs battalion, it was created in France under the Second Empire in 1856 and disbanded in 1964.
In 1866, the regiment was led by Colonel Peychaud, succeeded from 1868 to October 1870 by Colonel Morandy.
On April 22, 1859, the regiment was deployed in Africa.
From April 23, 1859, to July 20, 1859, it took part in the Italian Campaign.
From July 21, 1859, to July 24, 1870, the regiment was again deployed in Africa.
From July 25, 1870, to February 1, 1871, along with the 78th Infantry Regiment under Colonel Brice, the 1st regiment formed the 2nd Brigade under General Pellé. This 2nd Brigade, alongside the 1st Brigade under General Pelletier de Montmarie, two batteries of 4 cannons and one of machine guns, an engineer company, constituted the 2nd Infantry Division under the command of General Douay (Abel). This infantry division operated within the 1st Army Corps under the supreme command of Marshal Mac Mahon, Duke of Magenta.
It was engaged in:
- August 4, 1870: Battle of Wissembourg (1870)
- August 6, 1870: Battle of Frœschwiller-Wœrth
- Siege of Bitche
By August 17, 1870, the 1st Algerian Tirailleurs Regiment was part of the Army of Chalons.
With the 78th Infantry Regiment under Colonel Pellenc and the 1st March Regiment under Colonel Lecomte, the 1st formed the 2nd brigade under General Gandil. This 2nd Brigade, along with the 1st brigade under General Pelletier de Montmarie, two batteries of 4 cannons and one of machine guns, an engineer company, constituted the 2nd Infantry Division under the command of Brigadier General Pellé. This infantry division operated within the 1st Army Corps under the command of Divisional General Ducrot.
The regiment participated in the Battle of Sedan.