Look at it very close with a mag glass or printers lupe (best way). Might make something out. You can document the process if serial can be seen and have the number re stamped in the tag. No harm no foul. Beautiful drum. A 6.5 7 line brass dyna will always be sought after.... serial or not. Enjoy it!

Possibly make a rubbing of the serial number area with a pencil and paper...The number may show up...

Cheers

If you were to remove it (very carefully as not to damage the vent grommet in a way that it cannot be replaced without permanent damage), you'll probably see the number telegraphing to the back of the badge.

The attached photo tells you the number range you'd be looking for with a beavertail drum. I have 5x14 No. 10222, which is just prior to them turning to the 5-line shell. The shell you have is said to have been made for Rogers by Gretsch.

As someone mentioned above, nice drum, serial number or not. The idea that someone selling a 7-line Dynasonic on eBay without a serial number and not noticing that fact is disappointing, if not quite unlikely.

To add to the mystery, I couldn't find it in the eBay sold listings!

Obviously stolen at some point sadly. Have you played it? I bet that it is awesome...Case closed.

Andrew,

It's a shame the badge has been tampered with, as it does slightly diminish the value, but as we know, the actual serial number only gives an approximate indication of manufacture date. It's really not that important as Dyna labels were being slapped on randomly and were even being mounted on marching bass drums and tenor drums.

Based upon your Dyna's features, it was made in either 1966 or early 1967. 7-Line Dyna's made before 1966 had "twisted" snare gates; your Dyna has folded snare gates, and Dyna's made in late 1967 has only five lines in the shell. Oh, and your snare gates are missing the cut-out snare guard plate....

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You made a wise purchase. Don't worry about the badge and just enjoy that exceptional drum.

Mike

thanks for all your help and suggestions

Granto - I tried the pencil paper trick but no luck. I will keep trying with some of the other suggestions though

Dan- It all depends on how you spell Rodgers:) I stumbled on it completely by accident.

drumfx - yes i have, albeit with the clear pinstripe that it came with. And yes, it sounds really great. I had an early 70s one a few years back and sold it in a weak moment (too cheaply I might add) and then realized the climbing prices were going to make it prohibitive to replace, until now.

Mike - thanks for that dating info. I now know the drum is basically as old as me

Maybe it's the photo angle but the screw on the left looks larger than the screw on the right...? Badge replacement, or...?

Mike Curotto

Yes Mike, one screw has been removed and possibly replaced. My theory here is that someone tried to remove the badge, found it too hard as it's also held on with the grommet, and then just gone with removing the serial number. The other screw and grommet appear untampered with.

I think it's fair to say it was stolen many years ago but then again I've had so many vintage drums pass through my hands where the history is unknown that I would have no idea if they've been stolen in the past. I assume this is the case for most of us. Occasionally you get a drum that's been owned from new by the seller but that's the exception rather than the rule. In the case of this Dyna the seller insists he's owned it since 1969 so I'll not worry too much.

I wouldn’t worry about the serial number, especially if you got it at a fair price. The drum is nice and the badge is part of it’s history. Many of these drums come thru the years unscathed and many don’t. Enjoy it for what it is. I should also mention that I have two very collectible pieces that are missing part of their paper tag. Doesn’t bother me in the least. They are what they are.

I agree with Powertone. It is what it is. As mentioned take badge off and from the reverse you might see original numbers from rear. Suppose you could have numbers put onto the badge. But if it were me its part of the drums journey leave as is.