a drum with sealed end closures and the method of forming the drum in which a tubular shell is formed to define drum side walls . an end closure is applied to at least one end of the shell with the adjacent peripheral edges of the shell end closure being formed into a circumferentially extending chime with the peripheral edges defining said chime being in abutting surface - to - surface contact and folded to provide a seam with five layers of material of said edges being in a transverse radial direction . the chime is thereafter formed into a reinforced chime folded to provide a seam of predetermined shape with seven layers of material of the edges being in a transverse radial direction and having increased sealing , handling , and strength characteristics while retaining a minimum desired length for the seam .