Looks like a WFL(Ludwig) universal model.The original strainer is still on the drum in the photo..You must be refering to the snare wires,not the strainer.

Luckily Mike Curotto is a forum member and has actually written a book about collectable snare drums.Hopefully he'll chime in,and I see if I'm right.

Steve B

yup, thanks, I meant snares not strainer!

strainer is single-sided with throwoff.

WFL and Ludwig were two different companies until the late '50s.

Looks like a '20s or '30s Ludwig and Ludwig Universal. That drum had the throw off mounted on the top hoop. Often that was replaced with throw off mounted to the shell. The WFL throw off on your drum was made much later than the drum itself.

Is there an extra hole behind the throw off? Is there a small hole on the top hoop?

I agree with Rich...it looks like there is one of the 2 P-338 holes just above the bead in one of the photos.

Mike Curotto

there is one open hole in the side of the drum. pic attached.

I defer to your expertise Rich and Mike.

I still have some to learn about earlier L&L drums.

Steve B

Probably a 20s-30s drum with newer hoops and throw. Should be a very good sounding drum.

I took this to a local drum shop today and they said i needed to put better hoops on it- these are incorrect and are bending.

Anyone know where I can get the period-correct hoops for this? Or if I should bother? I'd like to keep it as original as I can.

thanks in advance!

The hole you pointed out is the vent hole. Mike and I were referring to an extra hole behind the throw off. You can get replica hoops and clips here:

http://www.drummaker.net/1-800-NEW-DRUM/www.drummaker.com/FMPro?-db=dm_products.fp5&-format=hitlist.htm&-sortfield=name&name=Single%20Flanged%20hoop&-max=16&-token.0=3758766083&-find=&-skip=16

I think they look and sound great, but you may be spending more on the drum than it's worth. A set of standard type hoops will be much less expensive and still look and sound good.