I believe the holes got bigger in the early to mid 60s. I'm definitely not certain of that, I'll have to let someone else say for sure. I have seen a thread very recently in which the larger hole of a trans stamp, I think it was, was explained to have probably been enlarged many years ago and now appears to be factory.

There's my :2Cents:.

Lynn

I have quite a few 50s stamp cymbals with the modern, larger size hole. My favorite era, in fact. Never saw a 50s cymbal with a small hole before, though. It's too bad there's no website with definitive information on this.

Anyone else have any insight?

That's interesting! I may be off by a decade. ;)

Well, hopefully Drumaholic will chime in. He'll give us some definitive information.

Lynn

I agree, I'd be surprised if the larger holes in some trans stamps were factory drilled. If done well to start with, and after 50 + years of wear, the holes would be smooth and just look like factory produced. Not sure when the holes got bigger. I have 6 examples of the various 1950's large stamps, and some have smaller holes, and some larger, although even the smaller holes seem bigger than those on my trans stamps and old Ks. They may have been drilled by earlier owners or perhaps the factory was already transitioning to larger holes. To the best of my knowledge Istanbul K's had small holes to the very end. I have a newer New stamp from the mid-late '70s with a small hole. I have a earlier older New stamp from the late '60s with a large modern hole. I always assumed it was drilled after the fact to accommodate modern stands.

There's nothing definitve written on this subject for good reason. The bellhole size does not convey any useful, reliable, or definitive information on any era. So just as I always say whenever this topic comes up:

Just fa-get about it!

Does that mean that the large hole on my older New stamp could have been done at the factory ? That's only important to me because I'm selling it soon and don't want to deceive anyone if it was modified.

Isn't this what us vintage guys are into, the minute details of the instruments of our passion? Having this question answered, no matter how insignificant, means something to some of us. Next time somebody asks if the throw off on a snare drum is period-correct, are you going to be dismissive of that, too? "Eh, a throw-off is a throw-off, so longs as it woiks. Fah-getta bottit!"

I'm just looking for some information that other people on this site might be able to provide, regarding a topic we come here to talk about. Thank you for your opinion on the matter, though.

How big is it?

Then stick to trademarks. They actually tell you what you want to know much more reliably.