It was first shown in the '62 catalog and again in the '64 catalog. I own some '61 Galaxy drums though. And I've seen some at least as new as '66 and maybe even '67.

Mike

Thanks amigo.

Well, here's where I admit to doing something very stupid.

I wiped the date stamp off not long after I bought the set in 1990, but I remember it read "19*unreadable smudge*9 so I've always assumed that smudge was a 5, is it possible that BG was available that early? Or if it's '69, then, as you say, it's too late.

Oops, forgot to mention they're pre-serial no.

Most of us have had a stamp mishap. I wiped one clean on my first vintage kit. at that time didn't know they would come off so easily.

If they were '59, they would the Ludwig Transition badge with the blue in it. If they have the Ludwig 60's keystone pre serial badge, then that would place them in the '60-'63 range. Mufflers would also help date them. Small round knob, early 60's. Red felt bat mufflers '62 ish through very early '65. White felt bat mufflers from then until sometime in '68. Hope this helps.

Mike

Interior finish may also provide a dating clue. I have some pre-serial Black Galaxy drums with an unpainted interior on the bass and Resa-Cote interior on the snare and mounted tom. The floor tom has a 1965 date stamp and Resa-Cote interior.

They have the keystone pre-serial, red felt bat mufflers & the toms & snare are painted inside but the bass drum's clear. Thanks, gets me closer :)