it has a real fine grain alligator tolex cover...the elongated blue oval with what looks to be lite gold color lettering and border may be metal not paper. I'll try to photo and post. When was the panther finish used??

1968 was the first year for black panther.

i;m not able to upload any pics. any suggestions?

Thanks LD how long were they offered in this finish?

pics i hope[Attachment: 14870]

[Attachment: 14871]

[Attachment: 14872] badge

I am so smart! I am so smart! I called it. I said it might be black panther first and was oh so right. I am oh so smarter than my cat! Take THAT Mr. Mittens!!!

OMG! I've NEVER seen Ludwig Bongos in Black Panther before.....have to have! have to have! have to have!! ok ok ok control....breath....

Ok I'm good now...Falling Do

1976 was the last "official" year of the finish, but I've seen it as late as 1979 on a 6-ply kit with the blue/olive rounded corner badge......those had to have been special ordered by someone in 1979 because the finish was not available officially any more.

Are these painted white on the interior or granitone grey? Hard to tell, but they appear white in the pic. White interior would make them from 1968, possibly 1969.......that is if Ludwig did the same with bongo shells as their outfit shells.