Not sure how much he is asking for that drum, given the condition its going to take some work and love to restore it, check out this gem, its close it me if you would like me to check it out for you

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/msg/3968529759.html

From what I remember the beavertail lugs came out in about 1940 so it's after 1939, a look at the badge and whether it has little adjustment wheels on the snare but will help more to give it a rough date.

The finish is a bit ratty but that bothers some more than others, make sure you get a good look at the interior, RKs are notorious for splitting of the reinforcement rings and that makes a difference in value, also see if it is a single ply maple shell, it probably is but it's not a given.

Soundwise RKs are very distinctive, my first was a 50s 5 X 14 and it was very boxy, in fact to be honest I didn't like it.

A little while ago I bought a set of 1940 RKs and it has a 7 x 14 snare and it is one of my favourite drums, open and warm, just great. I don't know if it is general to find the smaller depths boxy it is just my experience.

As for value somebody from the U.S should answer that because here in the UK we pay a lot more for this kind of thing.

If the price is right grab it they are classics for a damn good reason

Slingerland, if you read that listing it's only the shell that is original all the metal parts are replaced

Thanks Slingerland that snare is a pass for me , too much of a mix of new repo part's but she's a looker.