That's the 1950s style key, before they came out with the more well known shell mounted style. But I don't know the exact years of production.

Here's a helpful site for drum keys -

http://www.drumkeys.eu/kontakty.asp

Hobbs

Does "50s style" mean from the 50s or could it be a reissue?

Thanks for that site Hobbs! Its really cool! Mine looks like the 50s one, but I dont know. Somehow I doubt it is that old. It literally looks new...thats why I was curious if they make em like this again or something. Anyway...if no one knows then no one knows. Ill probably just use it to turn tension rods anyway. I mean what else can you use these things for?

-Adam

Very welcome. Just because it looks new doesn't mean it is. Perhaps the key went unused because all you need is one & what do you do with an extra? Sock drawer, w/ever. Believe mlvibes sounds confident w/ his 2 cents -

H

Yep, mlvibes knows his stuff very, very well....

Cool! Well...thanks guys! Stoked! Ill use it with my round badge kit. It'll feel right at home!

-Adam

Commonly seen snapped into a holder on the side of a marching drum....

Like this one here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-1953-GRETSCH-WOOD-MARCHING-SNARE-DRUM-/320849755624?_trksid=m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6499920521513697829

Key holder is to the left of the badge and snare throw off mechanism.

As far as I know, they did not reissue this era of the Gretsch key...

Cheers