The bass drum claws are uniquely 50's (used through '57). Floor tom push button leg brackets first appeared in late '57. 2- bolt rail consolette was also in use in the late 50's. The tone control on the small tom was used throughout the 50's and was last used in '61. I'm anxiously awaiting additional pictures/info for the gold kit but what can be seen suggests pre '62.

So nothing uniquely 50s then. Late 50s to early 60s would be more accurate. This would put us within the time frame of when the very first Ludwig aluminum shelled snare drums of this construction with the rolled shell and imperial lugs would have most likely been made.

I will also say that Slingerland made both types of claws during the early 60s so they could have used those instead or they may have been switched out at some point so I wouldn't put a lot of stock in that one detail. We don't know any history on this kit. If these drums were made in the early 60s they are 60+ years old at this point so who knows what mods have been done to either kit over 60 years

Those claws were not used in the 60’s, they are 50’s. Also, and more to the point, there is no hardware shown that is exclusive to the 60's. Regardless, it cannot be said with any certainty that the gold set is genuine Slingerland or not Slingerland. Also the guesstimated timeline for both sets is too close to make any declaration as to which one is a copy of the other.

Those claws were still in the 1973 catalog. They offered the threaded and un-threaded versions for single tension parade drums. So they were still a stock item into the 70s so their presence doesn't prove the timeline one way or another.

True, we don't know which came first, but IMO based on my earlier points, these were made by Ludwig and Slingerland and never saw production.

OK, the statement regarding the claws should have been more specific: Slingerland did not use those claws on kit drums in the 60's. The drums being discussed are kit drums NOT parade drums. Slingerland parade drums and marchers have there own set of rules.

Not to derail this post, but just to add to what thin shell says about the triple-flange hoops. While it's true that Slingerland bent their hoop inward at the top flange, also keep in mind that Ludwig was using 1.6mm hoops, while Slingerland went with a hoop that was much thicker, probably at least 2.3mm. No other American drum maker had hoops that thick during this time period.

-Mark

Can someone post the corresponding catalog listings for both the Slingerland Jet and the Ludwig Jazzette, please? I don't dare try it, myself! ;)

Yes, Slingerland and Ludwig were always at each other, I think. -Looks like Ludwig won this particular battle and the prize was the Roy Haynes endorsement of the Jazzette.

I never said they were parade drums. I am saying that the old style claws were still stocked and supplied by Slingerland into the 70s so they could have pulled some of the old style claws out of the bin instead of picking the new version from the bin next to it. They are interchangeable. In any case. This bass drum has the earlier claws with the later modern T handles that would have gone with the new claws so that makes using one or the other difficult to use as a measure for them they were made. That's not a combination they ever sold.

If these were indeed made by Slingerland they were prototypes and never went into production. There are no specific rules with prototypes. You can build them any way you choose because they are a test bed for a new idea.

Here is your statement regarding the claws being for parade drums.

There are multiple examples of hardware being available as "service parts" long after they were used in regular drum production. While your scenario is possible it is just pure speculation.

Based on currently available and limited pictures the gold drum set is telling us:

1) Metal shells with Slingerland hardware circa late 50's/early 60's.

2) Internal seam and edge construction very similar to Slingerland's early aluminum snares.

What we don't know/have:

1) History/provenance.

2) Drum sizes.

3) Finish on drums

4) Why the bass claws and T-rods are a combination Slingerland did not use.

5) Why the telescopic spurs seem to be in a location not consistent with most Slingerland builds.

6) Detailed pictures or descriptions of misc. hardware that could further aid in dating.

No myths, lore or speculation.