a lot of the us cymbals that I run across are actually trans stamps,circa 40's-early 50's. yours appears to be a first stamp, which precedes the trans stamp. could be 30's..someone will probably know for sure.

mike

My very first Zildjian was a 12" with that same "US" stamp (wish I still had it). I would guess that you have half of a pair of hand cymbals for military marching bands. Probably late 30's, early 40's as the military was ramping up for, and then fighting in, WWII.

I recall reading that, despite all the restrictions pertaining to use of metals during the war Zildjian was allowed to get the metal they needed to make cymbals because their product was deemed as a necessity for use in military bands.

Great info, thanks. I wondered if it was maybe part of a hand set. I'll let you know how they sound together when I get them.

So it was you who picked those up. They should be very nice. Enjoy.

I was going to point out in the auction that the older one was a first stamp, but my internet access has been playing up and I didn't get the chance. The fault also meant I didn't get a second chance to put in a higher bid on the 20" old stamp K with the funky repair. I would have loved to audition it next to my 18". I hate intermittent electronic faults. *grrrr*

I knew you would've seen them. I thought long and hard about buying them as I really don't need them but they just looked too interesting to turn down at that price.

That 20" repair actually looked like it might work too. There is nothing more frustrating than a bung internet connection during an auction

They could very well have been used as a set of hi hats at any one of the Army Bases worldwide. Each base has a Rec. Center with a full drum kit and an array of cymbals that you sign out to use. They can't be taken out of the building so quite a few were from the Trans Stamp and 50s era when the military ramped up the centers after the war. They also had the U.S. Stamp and from time to time they would upgrade the instruments or add to existing. Commanders were allotted a certain amount of funds that had to be spent by Sept. 30th each year...Just another possibility that I thought you might be interested in. Roger

Great info Roger, thanks for that. The military really are well equipped

Later 1930's.

There were no less than four different trademark dies that were used in during the 1930's.

So this "first stamp" crap is just B.S.

B.S. = "Before Stamp".

I'm happy to call them B.S. whatever you tell us to call them, because I recognize your authority. But you do need to tell us what to call them if you want to establish the proper usage. Currently the field is wide open because we don't have a name to use and proper type specimen descriptions. "First Stamp" may be an unfortunate usage, but it is out there and will take some effort to dislodge.