Hi

I’ve had these 3 rare Radio King snare drums in my collection way before I started writing articles. While I am in between restorations here you go.

Thanks goes to Harry Cangany for verifying the 4 x 14 RK and Mark Cooper [email]coopersvintagedrums@verizon.net[/email] for his input as to the dating of the 4 x 14 RK and the two 4 x 13 RKs.

1. 1947-48 SLINGERLAND 4 x 14 WHITE MARINE PEARL RADIO KING MODEL (UN-CATALOGUED)

I purchased this snare from Harry Cangany. Harry told me that this is the only 4 x 14 RK in existence, as of this writing of course. The 4 x14 size in the Radio King Models is un-catalogued.

I did see a drum once at a Chicago Vintage Drum Show that was claimed to be a 4 x 14 RK but there was a lot of suspect conditions such as a cut down, uneven shell, loose badge, extra holes, wrong parts etc. The Streamlined lugs left almost zero tolerance when I put on the RK (logo) calf heads, it was close but everything worked out fine.

Nothing out of the ordinary as to the shell (solid maple), the hardware (8 Streamlined lugs, 3 pt. strainer, engraved top rim) or the badge (standard cloud badge).

2. 1948-49 SLINGERLAND 4 x 13 SPARKLING GOLD RADIO KING MODEL (UN-CATALOGUED)

This was one of my first “big” purchases early on in my collecting. I saw the drum on Ned Ingberman’s site, Vintage Drum Center.

I just liked the look of the drum and was told that 4 x 13 RKs are rare and un-catalogued. I know Slingerland offered a 4.5 x 13 Be Bop Model in the 50s-60s.

Nothing out of the ordinary as to the shell (solid maple), the hardware (6 x 2 side-by-side Beaver Tail lugs, 3 pt. strainer, engraved top rim) or the badge (standard cloud badge).

The original RK logo top and bottom calf heads were a bonus. Notice how the “Slingerland Radio King” engraving on the top rim does not line up with the cloud badge.

3. 1951-53 SLINGERLAND 4 x 13 WHITE MARINE PEARL RADIO KING MODEL (UN-CATALOGUED)

I got this one locally from a fellow drummer. It’s a little later version (oval badge) than the other 4 x 13 RK.

Nothing out of the ordinary as to the shell (solid maple), the hardware (6 Streamlined lugs, 3 pt. strainer, engraved top rim) or the badge (standard oval badge). Same situation as the 4 x 14 RK above, very close tolerance with those Streamlined lugs.

Always feel free to weigh-in with your comments and related stories.

Enjoy!

Mike Curotto