That matches what I know about the 50's Renowns. That throw is definitely referred to as the Renown model. Hopefully yours still works passably, as it wasn't a great design.

I had a 6-lug one with die cast rims, so probably later 50's but who can tell if the rims were original or not. I've seen more with the clips like yours. Nice sounding snare, very deep snare beds on the bottom. I understood it was a student model when it was made, though yours looks like an 8-lug version.

Looks like someone replaced the Gretsch tone control with something else, but the factory holes might still be intact, as it seems like it might fit the same pattern.

The six lug version was the "Dixieland" model. It had the clip type hoops up until the

Mid 60s when they went to die casts. The Renown was the eight lug version and both used the Renown model throw off (confused yet?).

Gretsch has recycled the Renown name for their highest end imports (great drums BTW) but those have nothing to do with the drum on question.

The strainer still works great actually. Hasn't given me any grief at all. As far as the internal tone control the holes are all still original from what I can tell. Didn't seem to be modified in any way. And I'm actually less confused now than before,lol Thanks guys!