The Model 4160 originally did not have the decorative knurling at the center of the shell. The knurling did not start until the 1965-1966 time frame. The last 4160 I have logged is in the 55000 serial number range and the first one with the decorative knurling is in the 65000 serial number range. Although I have over 200 drums recorded between these two points, none of them are model 4160. I can not narrow it down further to determine when the change occurred.

Interestingly, the early chrome snares included a 6 lug version as well, using Model Number 4106. It also did not have the decorative knurling. In later years, based upon what i have recorded, model 4165 snares had knurling and the models 4166 and 4167 did not.

Rick

Hey, I just posted looking for the same info...I also have one without the perforations/knurling....the serial # on the orange badge inside is a 5 digit and from what I can find, that would put it mid 60's. The earlier one had only a 4 digit ser #. So from this info you have provided, mine would be prior to 65/66?

Here's one!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gretsch-COB-14-snare-drum-6-lug-die-cast-hoops-old-vtg-round-badge-4106-uncommon-/170925722953?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item27cbf78d49

That's awsome....thanks!!

If you provide the serial number from your drum, I would appreciate it. We should be able to provide a better estimate for you.

In the three months since my earlier post, I have come across only one model 4160 drum that was in the 55000-65000 span. It is SN 58105 and it has the knurling. It is too early to draw any defnitive conclusions, but with more reports, it should help to better identify the transtion point from non-knurled to knurled.

Rick

I will supply the serial #, I played this last night for the first time and it sounds great. I'll get the # when I go home tonight and let you know.

Thanks.

I should also add that this is a 6 lug drum!!

OK, I looked at the orange label on the inside of the shell, it has the model listed as a '6T' and the serial # is 96539. Does this help at all with its ID??

It looks exactly like the 4160.

thanks

A 6 lug Chrome snare without the center knurling and "6T" as a model number is likely a model 4106T - with the "T" indicating that there is a tone control (muffler) installed. The serial number of 96539 would typically indicate a drum from the 1967-68 time frame.

Most of the 4106 model drums that I have seen in chrome were made earlier in the decade. There are several drums in my log from the serial number range of your drum and later that carried the 4106 model number that were brushed aluminum finish. (See the 1971 catalog - http://www.gretschdrums.com/ebooks/1971/index.html#/37/). There are a few reported as chrome and one that had a gold tone brushed aluminum. It appears that Gretsch applied the 4106 model number to 6 lug snares with several different finishes. Could you provide a picture or two of the drum so that I can take a look? Also, what do the screws which mount the lug casings look like? Are they hexagonal head or rounded slotted screws?

Note that any estimate I make is based upon the theory that Gretsch used serial numbers in a particular somewhat systematic way. I describe this in my published guide and have decribed the methodology in detail in prior posts here and on another drum forum. It is just my opinion based upon review of several thousand drums. Not everyone agrees with the theory, so be mindful of that. Regardless of its age, what you have is a Gretsch drum that you like.

Rick