Hi all,

Now this is the way to start the New Year!

1926-27 4x14 L&L 10 lug/scroll engraved DeLuxe

Yes, you read it correctly, 10 lug/scroll engraved.

As we all know when Ludwig & Ludwig changed from 8 lug to 10 lug shells the DeLuxes (Black Beauties) were then engraved in the 12 pt. or 10 pt. floral (1929 only) patterns that fit nicely on the panels between the lugs of the 10 lug shells. So this drum is probably a transition drum (left over 8 lug/scroll engraved, undrilled shell) that was then drilled for 10 lugs and sold. This was the mid-1920s and WFL Sr. was known to be a frugal boss so it seems logical to assume that the left over shell would not have been discarded. I have a 4x15 and a 6.5x15 DeLuxe both with 10 lugs/scroll patterns and I know where the 5x15 10 lug/scroll is to make it a complete set but that's another story. I have never seen or heard of any 4x14 (or 5x14/6.5x14) 10 lug/scroll engraved DeLuxes, what about you guys? As always your thoughts, comments etc. are welcome.

I got this drum from Hawaii on a BIN off of eBay just before Thanksgiving. The shell had been completetly chromed-over and the hardware was pretty tarnished but being what it is I judged it worth of restoring. I immediately sent the shell to Adrian Kirchler (Italy) to have him restore the shell to black nickel as this drum should be. I urge you to go to http://www.ak-drums.de/then go to "restorations" and then to "engraved drums" and you will see the amazing restoration that he did on not only this shell but many more of my shells and of other collector's shells. This guy is the real deal! I stripped the left over lacquer off of the hardware, polished the original copper and then gold lacquered all of the hardware. There was just enough original copper plating left on the hardware so no replating was necessary. I had some calf heads that had short collars that allowed the heads to sit high enough to show off the scroll engraving. Enjoy.

Mike Curotto