Here is the first one. The lugs and rims look to be nickel. The throw off and baseball bat muff look to be chrome. Not original right. The throw off also has an extra hole underneath it. (see pic) Otherwise this one looks pretty decent. I need to put new heads on it and get a snare wire for it. I would kinda like to get the original throw off for it. Can anyone tell me the difference of this one to an original?

Here is #2. This one is missing the throw off and the snare wires. It also had the butt removed and drilled into another spot. Looks like they had drilled the throw off in another spot as well obviously. The baseball bat muffler is also chrome. Same as #1. The insides of both shells look great. I will probably sell #2.

First of all, fantastic sounding drums! You need P-87 throws. Someone drilled the extra hole lower to accomodate the 83.

Are these the Ray McKinley model? That's the only one I can find that looks similar with the aluminum badge.

I believe the McKinley model had the extended butt plate, not a P32. I think you have the Symphonic902P or New Classic model. I'm just not positive because of the aluminum badge -- I don't know if Ludwig was making these models with that badge, or at least calling them as such. Unfortunately, I only have one catalog from the '40s to see what's going on.

I have your exact drum (Symphonic #902P model) but from '63 -- with the pre-serial Keystone.

Those probobly are symphonic models. Judging by the badges I would guess that those drums are no older than 1950. As was mentioned previously, the Ray McKinley model had the extended butt plate. I think WFL stopped using those around 1949-50. I had a whole set, 24,13,16,16 Ray McKinley snare once from about 1948. All aluminum badges. I stupidly sold it years ago and I think Tommy P has it now. The guy I sold it to sold it later on. Glad it is put to good use now allthough it was a beauty and I miss it sometimes!

Well I grabbed a P-87 today and got it home to try it. Does not fit!!! That's what I get for not taking the snare with me and being impatient! What P-87 do I need? If anyone can help with a pic that would be awesome! I posted some pics below of what I am dealing with.

Uh-oh! I know this may sound weird but it looks like you need a 1st generation P-87. It's just like what you have, but the bolt for the tension knob also acts as a mount that will fit through the top hole. It would make sense, given that older badge. You can do a check by holding your mount against the shell to see.

I've experienced the opposite: I was erroneously sold the wrong p-87 (one that you need) and it didn't fit on my drum which needed the one you just got.

I don't know of any other possible throw off that Ludwig made for that drum, especially with those larger holes.

If you have that strainer I would be interested in buying it from you depending on where you are. This snare has some extra holes. If anyone has what I need or can help me out with more info please do. Thanks again to those who have already given good info.