Search
Register
Only Admins can see this message.
Data Transition still in progress. Some functionality may be limited until the process is complete.
Processing Attachment, Gallery - 127.85804%

WEIRD 1930s-40s 6.5x14 CHROME/WOOD RADIO KING

Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

Hi All,

Here's the latest restoration.

1930s-40s 6.5x14 chrome/wood Radio King

Many years ago I got up early on a rainy Sunday morning and drove out to the coast to get this weird drum. The drum is all original except for the heads. The drum has chrome hardware, a solid shell and a chrome type of wrap on the shell. The inside of the shell says "okay chrome" so does this mean it's OK to put chrome on the shell at the factory? "Okay" is an older way of saying "OK". The chrome wrap is attached at the seam via small rivet-type attachments and the seam is to the right of the 3 pt. strainer and under the beaver tail lug. The badge is tight and the grommet looks good, I have seen that type of grommet attachment before. So vintage pundits that you are...is this factory, factory special order, after market, or...? Feel free to weigh in as I'd love to hear your comments and theories.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 15 years ago
#1
Posts: 5227 Threads: 555

Wow,Thats a new one for me mike..I'am thinking that the drum was maybe a custom factory order,to me the air grommet looks like its from the factory.Or i could be wrong and maybe someone did the chrome themselfs,but then again how could they get the grommet back on the drum so well? Does the edges look like they are factory?? Who knows on this drum,its like its one of those things,like i have a vintage rogers set for the 60s i have been trying to fine out about it for 20+ years and no one has really has give me an answer...mike

Posted on 15 years ago
#2
Posts: 683 Threads: 96

Mike,

I think that the words inside are not "Okay Chrome" but "Olay Chrome" meaning, Overlay Chrome. Radio Kings did have a chrome hardware option as an upcharge from nickel so I'm going to guess that it was a factory custom job on the wrap.

Killer looking drum btw.

PS: Thanks for posting the grommet pic, that filled a gap in my mind on something I'm working on. An aaahaa moment so to speak.

30's Radio King - 26, 13, 13, 16
49 - WFL Ray McKinley - 26, 13, 16
58 - Slingerland Duco
58 - Slingerland Krupa Deluxe
70 - Ludwig Champagne Sparkle - 20, 12, 14
70 - Ludwig Champagne Sparkle - 22 (need), 13, 16
And some others..
Posted on 15 years ago
#3
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

Rob Cook show one of these in his Slingerland book...

Posted on 15 years ago
#4
Posts: 1334 Threads: 235

From vadrums

Rob Cook show one of these in his Slingerland book...

The drum in Rob's book on pg. 130 top right is my drum (same drum) before I cleaned it up.

Mike Curotto

Posted on 15 years ago
#5
Posts: 296 Threads: 15

I have two RK snares that have the "OK Chrome" written in pencil on the inside. One, a 1936 8x14 Bernie Mattison BDP and a '52 5x14 Red Glass. Both do have chrome hardware...Funny thing is that it looks as though they were written by the same individual!

Posted on 15 years ago
#6
Posts: 2628 Threads: 40

[COLOR="DarkRed"]That's wild...if I had ever come across one of these, I would've concluded that it was a post-factory re-wrap for sure....[/COLOR]

www.2ndending.com
Posted on 15 years ago
#7
Posts: 51 Threads: 0

Was this type of finish even possible in the 40's? That's what I can't wrap my mind around. What could the chrome-type surface be made of from that time period??

Everything does look completely legit and original...

:::Ryan B
Posted on 15 years ago
#8
Posts: 683 Threads: 96

Possibly copper with chrome plating on it.

30's Radio King - 26, 13, 13, 16
49 - WFL Ray McKinley - 26, 13, 16
58 - Slingerland Duco
58 - Slingerland Krupa Deluxe
70 - Ludwig Champagne Sparkle - 20, 12, 14
70 - Ludwig Champagne Sparkle - 22 (need), 13, 16
And some others..
Posted on 15 years ago
#9
Posts: 2444 Threads: 288

As I was rearranging my drum stuff in the garage, I found my old Radio King tom from the 50's that had the words "chrome" on the inside as well as the snare.....

Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Posted on 15 years ago
#10
  • Share
  • Report
Action Another action
Something else here