Hi, Folks!
I just finished restoring this vintage late 1920's "Gretsch American"set in original Emerald Pearl. The finish is identical to what Ludwig & Ludwig was using at the same time.
A BIG thanks to Bun E Carlos and Mike Curotto for sending these drums my way. Notice the eleven lug, odd size bass drum! The two drums came from different places but are an identical color and era match. The shells are typical thin Gretsch maple shells with no reinforcing rings.
Mike Curotto had already cleaned and polished the snare drum to perfection, so it needed nothing done to it. The photos dont really show how clean it is. The bass drum just needed a good cleaning and polishing and the finish came out quite nice. All the hardware was buffed on a wheel and really looks great. The three blinking colored lights are original and even have an art deco electrical plug, which is made from an early form of plastic or bakelite. The painted head is a common windmill scene and I think it's a "factory" job.
Here is a quick video of the drums. My camera would not focus up close but the badges on the bass and snare are thin foil types that were tacked on.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weFI27Bofhw"]http://http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weFI27Bofhw[/ame]