Well, I thought I'd post a couple of before pics of my latest purchase/resto project. Its probably the oldest drum I've had in my collection yet and should be an easy resto. Its a Ludwig & Ludwig 12x15 marching snare that dates from somewhere between 1918 and 1929. Not 100% sure of the date yet as I'm waiting for it to arrive and will check for dates when I start the resto. Its a model #216 Center support thum-rod tension model drum from what I've been able to figure out. At the time of writing this, someone has fitted a rope tension system to the drum in addition to the rod tension. Something tells me it was for looks more than anything else. Also, someone has fitted a later throw-off to it. Judging by the extra hole above it, it looks like its the wrong strainer, but doesn't look like any extra holes were drilled to fit it. I may have to purchase new wood hoops for it, the paint will be stripped and at that point I'll be able to tell if its mahogany or maple. Either way, it will be refinished to a "natural" finish. So, I'm on the lookout for the correct strainer, after which, I'm planning on fitting calf heads and gut snares. I really don't have much use for a marching snare (although I do miss the Leedy & Ludwig one I restored last year) but I'd like to have it just because of the age and "coolness" factor.
Pictures to follow......oh, and I'm including a catalog scan close up of the drum so that it IDs the correct strainer I'm looking for. If anybody has one please PM me. Maybe we can do a trade for the one fitted to the drum?