In the late 19th century, Robert P. Smith and George E. Drum established Smith, Drum & Co. to make hosiery-making and dyeing machinery. It appears that during World War II they made the Smith-Drum line of engine lathes. We have not seen any evidence of the company surviving past the end of the war. Their lathe business seems to be lightly documented: thus far we have not seen any advertisements or articles on Smith-Drum lathes.

The Smith-Drum lathe is based on Fay & Scott's HK Extension Gap Engine Lathe. During wartime when a manufacturer was not able to meet demand, the machine design would be made available to other makers who could help fill the need.

Information Sources

• The 1900 Boyd's Co-partnership and Residence Business Directory of Philadelphia Citylists "Smith, Drum & Co (Robert P. Smith and George E. Drum), machinists, 2503 Coral".
• 1909-07-30 Iron Trade Review.

  PHILADELPHIA—Smith Drum & Co., Allegheny avenue, engineer and machinist, has had plans prepared for a l-story addition, 25 x 100 feet, estimated to cost $23,000.

• 1914-10-15 The Iron Age.

  Smith, Drum & Co., 2503-2509 Coral street, Philadelphia, Pa., manufacture machines for dyeing and finishing hosiery and underwear, etc., but not for finishing and dyeing cloth, as has been stated. Plans for the new factory include the installation of a powerful traveling crane.

• 1914-10-29 The Iron Age.

  Smith, Drum & Co., 2503-2509 Coral street, Philadelphia, Pa., manufacture machines for dyeing and finishing hosiery and underwear, etc., but not for finishing and dyeing cloth, as has been stated. Plans for the new factory include the installation of a powerful traveling crane.

• 1916-11-23 American Machinist.

  Penn.. Philadelphia—Smith, Drum & Co.. Philadelphia, manufacturer of machinery, will construct an addition to Its machine shop on Allegheny Ave.

• The 1922 Industrial Directory of Pennsylvania lists "Smith, Drum & Co., Allegheny Ave., below 5th St., Philadelphia", makers of "Machinery and parts", employing 98 men.
• Copyright registrations include the following: "Smith, Drum & Co.,* Philadelphia. 21202, 21203
  Most talked-about machine in the dyeing industry. © De. 15, 1939; AA 324025. 7335
  These companies don't play hunches. © Apr. 15, 1940; AA 33414.
  $225,000 worth of evidence! © Mar. 1, 1940; AA 334413.
• The lathes.co.uk page on Smith-Drum lathes has several photos of a Smith-Drum 14" sliding-bed engine lathe. The sliding bed increases the bed length from 36" to 54".
• The Fay-Scott / Smith-Drum connection was supplied by correspondent Ian Roxborough.