Shouldn't a Radio King with beavertail lugs have the large 2-1/4" wide re-rings. Those look like the later 1" rings.

Mmmm... I honestly don't know Slingerfan, but that is an astute observation. What era is this shell, in your estimation?

Aha! http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/drcjw/article_3_shells6.html

I had no idea about this, this is the way this drum came to me, described as a '40's/50's Radio King'. But I think Slingerfan is right, I think the hardware on this drum is 40's and the shell is 50's.

The Slingerland book by Rob Cook states the lugs changed in 1955, so you could have a fifties shell with fifties beavertail lugs.

Nice tom, whichever way...!!

Yes Sir

'56-'63 shell. Pre '55 lugs.

Thank you so much guys, appreciate the feedback and details. This is a beautiful sounding drum.

Also, Slingerland shells were manufactured through 1956 with the wrap glued to the outer ply before the shell was constructed, so the wrap became integrated with the middle ply at the seam. Starting in 1957, the wrap was installed to the completed shells. There would most likely be evidence of the original wrap in the seam on the bearing edge on a pre-1957 shell.

No longer for trade, I found my 1969 Ludwig 8 x 12 in Gold Sparkle. There is a new post in the For Sale section.