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Beat up old 12 x 26 bass drum

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Father in law snagged this for me at an antique shop that was closing down. I know nothing about it other than it had been in there for ages. It's in really rough shape, there's a roughly 4" x 1.5" hole in the shell, but I am curious about it. There are two different numbers on the inside of the shell. I'd love to hear if anyone has any ideas about what it could be. Thanks!!

Posted on 5 years ago
#1
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Typically numbers like those would indicate the year and month the drum was manufactured.

Any badges present on the exterior or stickers on the interior shell?

Posted on 5 years ago
#2
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Thanks Hoppy. Interesting then that there are two dates inside the shell; 3806 and 3901..maybe it just took six months to finish it! No other marks, labels, stickers or badges, unfortunately...

Posted on 5 years ago
#3
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Maybe someone with more experience can help id the hardware and provide a clearer picture of what you've got.

Posted on 5 years ago
#4
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I'm no expert in vintage drums/ but the hardware looks similar to my Excelsior marching bass drum from the teens I've used for a trap set up when doing 'old jazz'... (sorry no pics) And that strap with the big knobs looks like something related to marching setup- good luck researching- always fun to see where they come from-

Posted on 5 years ago
#5
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I'll guess Leedy. That date stamp looks like their "font" and format (yymm, so June 1938 and January 1939 in your case), and the claws look like their design from that era as well. I have a 1958 Leedy Reliance snare that has two dates stamped in it, so that double stamp practice may point to them as well.

As an aside, can anyone shed light on why Leedy double stamped the insides of their shells? The two dates on mine were about a month and half apart.

Hope this helps solve the mystery, even if I'm wrong!

thejohnlec
Ohio Valley
Posted on 5 years ago
#6
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From thejohnlec

...As an aside, can anyone shed light on why Leedy double stamped the insides of their shells? The two dates on mine were about a month and half apart...

Complete speculation, but I'm thinking one stamp was soon after the shell was manufactured (like after getting pulled out of the mold and being set on a shelf for finishing) and the second date when the exterior was actually finished and the drum was ready for shipping???

Posted on 5 years ago
#7
Posts: 771 Threads: 132
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fantastic drum, strip it, stain it and do this with it....

1 attachments
Keep fixing them up...
Posted on 5 years ago
#8
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576
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It Look like a leedy black elite as I had one it looks like the same , but my hardware was gold plated

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 5 years ago
#9
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