JulesLudwig then tried to convince Ulysses G. Leedy of the Leedy Drum Company to manufacture brass-shelled, separate-tension snare drums – but failed. Leedy promptly refused Ludwig’s request to research and develop a similar model as he believed metal was an unsuitable drum shell material.
Undaunted, Ludwig Sr. and his brother Theobald seized on Leedy's missed opportunity. Ludwig began to develop a copy of the drum on his own, convinced that its superior construction and tone would be the key to standing out in the highly competitive drum market. They began advertising their own new brass-shelled separate-tension snare drum (based on this very instrument in the collections of the National Music Museum, Vermillion, South Dakota) in the first Ludwig & Ludwig catalog, published in 1911.
In 1974, William F. Ludwig II inherited the drum from his father. Later he sold it to Harry Cangany, of Indianapolis, who generously donated it to the NMM in 2001.
“Harry Cangany, the founder of the original drum forum (DFO) had it in his Indy shop. When I visited a number of years ago, I had the opportunity to examine and hold it. I recollect that it was very heavy and rather rough. It had metal plates welded to the inside of the shell to prevent the tension from the lugs from warping the shell. It had a very industrial look to it.
It is currently in the National Music Museum. "NMM 10091. Snare drum by Trommel-Fabrik Weissenfels (changed to Sonor in 1907), Weissenfels an der Saale, Germany, ca. 1900. Brass shell, 6-1/2" x 13". Separate (double) tension. Eight tube lugs with rods that attach to studs welded on each hoop and to the shell. Brass rims with edges bent over and rounded. J-hook strainer. Bought by Sousa drummer Thomas Mills on European tour in 1900. Subsequently sold to William F. Ludwig, who showed the drum to Ulysses G. Leedy in a failed attempt to have the Leedy Drum Company begin the manufacture of brass-shelled drums. William F. Ludwig and Theobald Ludwig, who were already selling drum pedals, then began producing brass-shelled, separate-tension snare drums based on this drum. Ex colls: William F. Ludwig II; Harry Cangany. Gift of Harry Cangany, Indianapolis, 2001."
From the online Sonor museum -
"The drum that pushed Wm. F. Ludwig Sr. over the edge and got him into the drum manufacturing business was a snare owned by Tom Mills, John Phillip Sousa's "favorite drummer" in the early 20th century. Nobody in the United States made metal snare drums, but when Ludwig was blown away in a competition with Mills, he determined then and there that he HAD to have that drum. 2 years later, so the story goes, Ludwig bought and redeemed a pawn ticket from Mills for $3. The drum on the right is the Mills drum - the one on the left is from a very early Sonor catalog. Notice any similarities? Below: another Sonor snare from that era." - SL