George,
I just discovered your site and want to congratulate you on your fascinating article on the history of the Slingerland Radio Kings. It is especially resonant for me since I bought a set last year and am working toward getting them performance ready.
I wonder if you can review the attached pictures. I will be sending a second email with more. I have a 26" Bass, 13, 14, and 16 toms and snare. I am trying to confirm the vintage and, in the case of the 13" small tom, determine if it is really a Radio King drum.
Based on the snare hardware I am thinking that it is a late 30's to early 40's drum. The picture did not come out well, but the Logan brand snare wires look original. The 14" tom has the Bass Drum style T tuning rods and both the14 and 16 seem to have the same lugs. They both have Slingerland Calf Tone heads (original?). The bass drum as you can see is a single tension model. Do you know what years these were in production? It also has a rail mount attached to the shell. I have never seen this on any pictures of Radio Kings that I have seen. Do you think the owner just added it?
The 13" is my mystery drum. You can see how the pearl wrap is pulling apart at the seam. Even though it seems to have Radio King hardware, I am wondering if the owner just tried to make a different drum match his set. I sent pictures of the inside of its shell. I don't know if you can tell if it is a Slingerland based on that.
Bonus question. I sent a picture which looks like most of a rim mounted small tom mount. But it is not complete. Do you know of any sources for ancient hardware?
I have signed up for your site and look forward to exploring its contents. Thanks for reviewing this email and the next one coming in a minute.
Best,
Rich Dishman