I don't see any evidence of any alteration, the inside shows turning lines and what looks to be fingerprint smudges and natural patina. Looking into the harder to access areas under the bearing edge fold over, shows absolutely no evidence of black nickel plating, or that it has been touched or even wiped/cleaned, just well patina-ed brass.

Here are a few:

Those are great pics! I can see the imperial lug mounting hole on the one example has been widened. If I’m understanding correctly I’m hearing the dark spots and hue on the shell is patina. It’s interesting to see finger print patina on the inside of the shell. Someone must have hung onto the snare quite tight with the hoops off.

OK. First of all, I readily admit that I have absolutely no interest in the type of drum that is being analyzed here. As, a disinterested observer, the whole back and forth reminds me of someone with a car he likes a lot that he drives to a new car dealership. The car's owner is having his car looked at by an appraiser as a trade in for a new car. The appraiser questions the pristine condition of the potential trade-in while pointing out negative attributes of the vehicle. Of course, if the dealership takes that car in on trade, it will be resold as absolutely faultless.

Removing any nickel plating would be a tall order. It would require that everything be removed from the shell and then having it dipped at a plating shop, just like when it was plated but with the polarity reversed. Not impossible but not especially easy either. Then it would have to be polished and clear coated and have the badge re-installed.

That's a very cool drum. I don't recall ever seeing another one or even this option being offered at that time. I can see it being a one off or part of a very small run. Perhaps someone at Ludwig, knowing they were making brass shells again, thought back to the lacquer brass Supers and decided it would be worth a try to make another one (or a few) with one of these shells.

I’m glad you jumped in Kevin. The thread has surprisingly low chatter for a drum that could be the first example of a lacquered brass since the coveted Super Ludwig 401 (excluding the 2019 Super Reissue of course). I believe it would be the first example of a seamless lacquered brass as well. And as BEC would say, “It’s the rarest of the rare!” It seems the OP ruled out NOB removal and offered add’l pics in support. Perhaps not the case with this drum, however the practice appears with some frequency with 20/30s L&L. (One is for sale on DFO and another sold recently.) It’s interesting to hear lacquered shells may be dipped like chrome or black nickel. I would have thought sprayed like wood shells. As a side, Jim Catalano spoke about Ludwig and lacquer on a recent Drum History Podcast.

I’ve logged a few 70s BB serial numbers and some of the earliest numbers start around 157xxxx. Perhaps the OPs drum is a prototype to the the 70s BB. What does the serial start with?

For the benefit of the OP and the collectors community it will be Super sweet if this drum is determined to be as rare as many of us hope.

The serial is 168xxxx.

I don't claim to be anything more than a studied hobbyist collector, but do have enough experience with Ludwig to understand what it appeared to be the second I laid eyes on it. Honestly it was a Craigslist add for a "gold" Ludwig snare. While most of us know that the tone on a picture is different on every monitor, I honestly thought I was going to buy a bronze drum as, to my knowledge, a lacquered brass snare of this era didn't exist. I was stunned when she pulled it from the bag. I actually drove about a mile from the pickup spot and pulled over to call a friend, who has a massive 60's - 80's Ludwig snare collection, saying "dude, I think I just hit the lottery"....

I did compare the drum to some pictures of a early re-issue BB I got from an owner, that also has the sticker in it. Comparatively, all looks congruent and correct sans the black nickel plating

I have had a few very knowledgeable and experienced Ludwig collectors take a look at the pictures, and the consensus is that it appears to be genuine. Of course nothing will be in concrete until it is in the hands of an expert for inspection. That may be the Chicago Drum Show (if it happens in 2021)

As far as serials go, my 5" 70's Black Beauty is 1587276. My 6.5" 70's Black Beauty has a hand scribed badge.

Mike

My BB from 77' is 1585xxx just for info.

I thought I remember seeing Brass Lacquer offered in a Ludwig catalog somewhere.

I will have to look into it or I might of been dreaming, which this definitely is a dream Snare.

Wayne

1978 I gather however worth a cross reference with the Rick Gier book. Awesome back story! I’ve noticed the hoops of that era begin to gain weight and thickness so as you continue exploring the drum you might come across 1.6-1.8 mm 450-500g hoops with the flat gate. I believe the 2 hole P85s of that era also sit closer to the shell when compared to a 1980 but have to confirm that info. Congrats!

Wow! The nits are certainly being picked. I'm more than amused.