That patent was filed in 1945 and awarded in 1950 so that at least gives the time frame of when that style was invented. I really don't know when they started using them. I have seen them on drums for a wide range of years.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US2517124?oq=2517124

Page 41 of the number 55 WFL catalog sure appears to show the plastic ends. These are illustrations, not pictures however.

[ame]http://drumarchive.com/Ludwig/1955_WFL.pdf[/ame]

Page 45 of catalog number 51 appears to show metal ends.

[ame]http://drumarchive.com/Ludwig/1951_WFL.pdf[/ame]

Page 72 of catalog number 62 states- "Metal snare plates available on models A through P, specify if desired" This option was not mentioned in earlier catalogs.

All of the three hole snares are listed as being for the "New Classic" strainer which was the P-87. One screw held it on the strainer side and two screws on the butt side for the extended butt or conventional string for the standard butt, so that would seem to explain the extra hole. It is very possible that they used the mold or three hole metal ends for three holes one some wires that were designed for the normal P-83 strainer, at least in some cases. They still work, there is just an an extra hole.

[ame]http://drumarchive.com/Ludwig/1962_LUDWIG.pdf[/ame]

Page 96 of catalog number 64 states it a little differently- "Snares with metal end plates may be ordered by adding the letter M after each stock letter."

[ame]http://drumarchive.com/Ludwig/1964_LUDWIG.pdf[/ame]

It appears that WFL was using metal and then came up with the "new and improved" plastic ends in 1950. As we all know, plastic breaks so by at least by 1961 when catalog number 62 was printed, they had started to offer the metal ends as a option, probably because the plastic ones were problematic.

I would add that there were at least three colors. Clear, white and blue. Based on the artwork in the early WFL catalogs that they continued to reuse into the early 60s, I believe they were originally clear because you can see the wires in the ends on the illustration. I believe that white was later. Probably mid to late 70s. I seem to recall seeing white ones still available in the 90s.

Having said that, a quick check on ebay will show 70s acrolites with white and clear ends so they probably used both colors throughout the run or the white ones came later. It's Ludwig so we know they weren't very consistent on things.

Page 27 of catalog 75 shows what appears to be white plastic end snare wires and describes their offerings as" Ludwig fine quality plastic and metal end snares". Catalog 80 also lists plastic and metal end wires on page 24.

I see references to metal and at least one size of plastic end snares as late as the 88 catalog. The 94 catalog only mentions metal ends.

As far as the blue ones, I have no idea. I came across a set with blue ends on ebay which is the only ones I have ever seen.

Thanks for all that, thin shell!

We appreciate the time and effort that you put into your responses.

Regards, MB

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thin shell!

That was incredibly good of you to go to all that time and effort for a fellow member! I know that most of us are very supportive to each other, but you have really "raised the bar"! Thank you!!!!!

Brian

My pleasure.