I would say a former owner signed his name inside .

[COLOR="Navy"]Hello Cjwebber:

Back in the day before anyone really ever looked inside their drums, drum manufacturers felt free to make notes in pencil on drum shells to guide them during manufacturing. Your tom has a pencil notation made at the factory on Belden and Wayne in 1947, just after the shell was done with finish and prior to being drilled for hardware. The pencil notation appears to be "M Holder". Your drum has a shell mounted rail consolette, and Slingerland's name for that holder was the "Ray McKinley". There were three other holder options at the time, so it would appear the pencil notation was designating the drum to be drilled for the McKinley.

My personal view is that factory pencil notations like yours are very cool, and if not specifically adding value they nonetheless add something intangible to the allure of the drum. An artifact in the time capsule. Real people made this drum, and there is an unintended, but real, signature.

DrCJW[/COLOR]

Hello DrCJW,

I have a similar situation...it's a cloud badge, single lug 6.5x14 chrome hardware Radio ingK...but...the solid wood shell is wrapped in "chrome", here's the cool part: on the inside of the shell, written in pencil is "okay chrome"...my clue that this is legit is that the splelling of "okay" is how they used it in the old days as opposed to the more modern "OK"...thoughts?

Mike Curotto

I saw that snare drum of yours in the slingerland book. It looks like a real nice snare.

Yep, it's pretty cool...I haven't cleaned it up yet...then it will look like it should.

Mike Curotto

When I first looked at the signature I thought it was W HOLDEN ! Hey , maybe the kit belonged to actor William Holden once upon a time ....x-mas3

DrCJW -

you are clearly a very educated person. thanks a lot for the information.

a few questions about the drums.

I picked them up on eBay for 500 bucks. I am under the impression that I got a fairly good deal (maybe I'm wrong) , because I am not looking for a collector's set, I am looking for a player's set.

Question 1:

I was told this was a 1939 Radio King, and DrCJW - you had mentioned 1947. I don't really mind either way - just curious.

I currently own a 1963 Red Sparkle Slingerland Drum set - and I decided to go further back in history for my next set.

So I landed on these Radio Kings. My plan is to restore them (and find a floor tom [fingers crossed, I hear there arent many]).

I'm in the process of cleaning the hardware with metal polish, and I'm still debating the the finish.

Question 2:

Should I re-chrome (or re-nickel, not quite sure) the hardware? or is that going to far?

thanks a bunch guys. I do love those that share my affection for good ol' slingerlands.

Don't re-wrap...I'd clean the shells with Novus #2 and use Cape Cod polishing cloths for the hardware if it's nickel.

[COLOR="Navy"]Hello Mike:

Notations such as that on your drum’s interior were simply factory worker “notes to self”, designating the hardware that was to be used on the finished shell and thus what the drum was to become. The notation in your drum actually designated it to get chrome-plated hardware (hoops, lugs, and strainer). If there was no notation it was understood that the hardware would be nickel, but for the less-commonly used chrome a note was in order. This note is a common one found on Slingerland drums made prior to 1955 with factory chrome hardware.

Slingerland factory shell markings, of which there are many, constitute a rather fascinating subject, one which I will cover in some detail in future articles.

Cjwebber:

While all the features on your drums are consistent with 1947, the most telling features that date your kit are these. The bass drum inlays are the post-WWII thin style; in 1939 they were much thicker. The lugs on your drums are large beavertails, which Slingerland first used in 1947. And the badge on your bass drum is the brass cloud with enamel filled letters, which Slingerland last used in 1947.

It all depends on what one might be looking for of course, but Slingerland Radio Kings from really any year hold value. Also please permit me to second Rich K.’s thoughts. The vintage drum market, in its own way, is exactly the same as the general antique and collectible market. Your Radio Kings, with their original finish, are historic and precious. Refinishing them will generally drop their value by more than half. The aged yellow patina of genuine WMP Radio Kings has a beauty all its own. Of course these are your drums and no one else’s.

If you wind up wanting to get a matching original 1947 floor tom I may be able to help, if you would like.

DrCJW[/COLOR]

http://www.vintagesnaredrums.com/drcjw/