Hey yall! Im new too the forum. Been comin to this site for a while to look for answers to questions but I have a question that I couldn't find an answer for.

So I have a 1957 WFL Barrett Deems snare drum. I have 2 questions if any of you guys know whats goin on with this shell's construction. If you can see the pic that shows the interior, there's a little piece of wood that's tucked under the re-ring.

1) Can any one explain the reason why they would wedge a little piece of wood in between the re-ring like that?

2) What would the "14" marked in white have meant?

Another little quirk is that the snare beds don't quite align with the snare gates, but I know that that is not uncommon. But despite all this, the snare still sounds great! Very woody of course and surprisingly sensitive.

Also, is there any kind of grease or paste or something I can put around the threads of the strainer to make it NOT so easy to turn? The snare wires always become loose after not even that long of play time. And I feel like its because the strainer is just too easy to turn. Does that make sense? lol. Anyways, thanks for reading! :)