I went back to the first picture you posted where you're a bit older...what's the gadget on you ride cymbal?

I've seen it on some other kits of that era....

That little attachment is a 'sizzle' or 'sizzler'. It made your cymbal ssssssssssssssssssizzle. It had four (if I remember right) loose rivets. Two on the end of each arm. The arms would also swing up if no frying sounds were required. You've seen cymbals with holes drilled in them about 3/4 of the way to the edge? Same thing. Some guys drilled their cymbals, most used the thing I have there. Some cymbals were available with sizzlers (rivets) from the factory.

I'm pretty sure they still make them.

Oh yeah, another trick... We used to check out which ladies were wearing metal necklaces, then tell them we needed to borrow their necklace to make our cymbals sound sexy... or some other bull. Drop the necklace over the post and let it hang off the edge, same thing. Then take the gal out after the gig.