Oh that is a cool and valueable drum. Not sure of the name of the Leedy finish...perhaps red onyx? Non original tension rods, of course. I'll send some fellows over to the thread.

Dave

Wow! I am sure the experts will have the facts but it looks like you have a very rare drum. The finish looks to be Red Onyx, heard rumors of it, never seen it.

You've got a very rare snare drum, made in Indianapolis between 1925 and 1928. The Red Onyx pearl finish was never catalogued, just like Green Onyx. Mike Curotto has some fine examples of all the Onyx finishes. There was also a finish around that time called Hotsy-Totsy and while I have never seen it, it may be similar to Red Onyx. It, too was un-catalogued. I believe it was mentioned in an issue of Leedy Topics.

I would proceed with caution with any restoration you do, unless you've done this before. The Nobby Gold finish on the hardware is fragile and will come off if polished too vigorously.

Maybe Mike "Hotsy-Totsy" Curotto will chime in here.

Absolutely stunning drum!

Thanks guys. The red/white shell is in amazing condition without any damage. As noted in photo, the metal components have a dull finish... Were these originally nickel or chrome plated? The drum heads also appear to be period. The bottom head has the following markings: AMRAWCO Calf Standard with the backdrop of a star and underneath something that I can't make out followed by Pittsburgh, PA.

It's hard to tell from the photo. The lighting gives it a gold look but maybe it's just nickel. If so, you can polish that up quite easily. The head possibly says "Hammond Music"? or "Volkweins". Two old Pittsburgh stores.

WOW !!!!! As Mark has already told you rare as can be !!

Read about that finish but never seen it, love it what a great drum

Love the wooden grommet on those old Leedys.

So, is that how they were originally made? It appears original, just a big contrast (which is pretty cool) against skin color/pattern.