A brass pole with wooden handle and sliding sleeve. Surmounted by a small crescent, below which is a small sphere and four bells. Further below there are (1) a round, pavilion-shaped perforated piece with twelve bells on the lower rim; (2) a large crescent with six bells; (3) a sphere with five-pointed star inside the crescent; and (4) a ferrule with a helical spring fixed to the pole; the sliding sleeve has a short spring attached to its top. The instrument is carried at the head of a band and assists in keeping the marching rhythm. The lower end of the pole is inserted into a leather pocket attached to a shoulder belt to facilitate the holding. The sliding sleeve is moved up and down, striking against the spring and causing the jingles and bells to jingle; hence the affectionate name bestowed upon it by the British 'Tommies.'