If you had not said anything about a picture of this set in 1969, then I would have dated these drums closer to the 1974-75 time frame. That style of badge is generally thought of as first appearing in 1971. Based upon what I know about serial numbers, the serial number on your small tom would have been about 40,000 drums into the run of drums with the first Stop Sign badge on them. If your other serial numbers are in the same rough range, that would indicate a date well later than 1969.

How reliable is the 1969 date that you have? Have you seen the picture?

Am I seeing right or does the pic of the Speed King show it attached to a metal bass drum hoop?

Is that normal Gretsch behavior and does that date them?

I always associated metal hoops with not so good drums and thought that they sounded kinda nasty... of course it could be from another kit.

I am not positive that the picture is from 1969 it's just what I've been told and it could very possibly be wrong. Yes it is a metal bass drum hoop.

I know the RB era better, but do know that the 70's-80's Gretsch came with metal BD rims (but don't know when that started and ended). The double tom mount shown, orange label and straight FT legs places these in the late 60's early 70's (again I don't know what exact year those started and ended). All together early 70's would be my guess, though 69 seems possible too - original except for the two bottom tom hoops.