The faucet style handles were phased out over time, so there isn't a hard date to reference. They were definitely still around quite late into the 50s, as they're found on silver sealer interior drums, but finding them on a 6-ply drum would be super rare, maybe non-existent. If there's a cymbal mount on the bass drum, its details can be more telling.

Thanks poppies! Like guitars, I'm sure they exhausted inventory before changing, nothing clean.. The bass does have a cymbal mount, here's what it looks like?

[Attachment: 104738]

The silver sealer started in about 1954 and the three ply shells phased out in about 1958. The cymbal mount holder is an earlier version with the mount bolts going through holes in the mount, which is generally seen in the first half of the 1950s. Along with the faucet style T-rods, these characteristics provide a rough range of manufacture date of 1954-1958.

You guys are awesome! I was thinking early, mainly due to the 1950-1952 Zildjians. So the biggest wildcard left for me is the sealer, and whether that was applied by Gretsch (good to know they started that in 1954), or by someone after the fact. There is a gouge (not nearly as bad as this flash/phone picture makes it appear) on the inside of the rack tom, sealer is over that. What do you guys think? Would Gretsch let it go like that, or does this appear like an owner spraying the shells? If there are any other hardware quirks that would narrow down the date, let me know. 20" bass, 13" tom, and 5.5 x 14 snare seem to all be a set.

[Attachment: 104747]

Most likely, Customers weren't paying much attention to shell interiors at the time. No clear heads so a potential buyer probably would never even see such a flaw for a year or two until they needed to change heads...and then most likely not care anyway.

It was a simpler time.

The cymbal mount on the top center of the bass was another 50's thing. By the 60's it had moved to a more usual location but I don't recall when exactly that move took place.

How do you know the age of the Zildjians with such precision? They are usually harder to date than drums.

Agree on the simpler time, same with guitars/keyboards... we just played the heck out of everything. Definitely 1958 at the latest, but looks like it might be tough getting it narrowed down completely. As for the cymbals, I wouldn't bet a nickel on my dating... just going off of what I saw on line and looked like trans stamp III to me, with the no dots in the USA, and the overall alignment of the letters.

I REALLY appreciate everyone's input. While I'm on a roll, do any of you Gretsch guys know where to get a decent replacement felt for the Pratt Muffler? My hardware is in great shape, but the felt has ripped off and is just hanging by the adjustment end. 20" kick.

[Attachment: 104763]