You should get some magnet action on the rims... these slid down the shell and were attracted to the rim.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18158&d=1278910581[/IMG]

Steel rims, aluminum (Ludaloy) shell, blackface strainer with 12 holes, large knob (1") black felt muffler, all present and accounted for. Looks all period correct to me. Others have sharper eyes than I do for spotting replacement rims or t-rods so we'll see if anybody else can tell you more.

If this a stealth question about brass shell...only your hairdresser knows for sure. x-mas3

A number of early B/O Supras have the cut badge, because they were drilled for keystone badges.

If it's brass it will have a "B" stamp in the shell, above and behind the muffler knob. However, it's unlikely, as it's my understanding that the cut badge COB drums come later on in the 70's. They usually have 2 hole strainers. 70's Black Beauties started out having no B stamp in '77, just a little white sticker that says "Seamless Brass Shell". I believe that the COB Supras with the B stamps start around the same time as the Black Beauties with the B stamps, maybe '78 or so.

Thanks,

Bill

I have a way of settling this issue right away; I am going to go downstairs, right now, into my drum room; I'm going to pick out my 79 Ludalloy Supra and WEIGH it.

Whatever weight that happens to be, a brass drum will be significantly heavier -pounds heavier. So, if it turns out that yours weighs in the same ballpark range, then it's likely to be Ludalloy (aluminum). If it's pounds heavier, then it's brass.

My guess? Ludalloy.

Okay...stand by for the weight...

14 X 5 1979 Ludalloy Supra = 7 lbs. 1 oz.

14 X 5 1969 Ludalloy Supra = 6 lbs. 14 ozs.

My guess is that a 14 X 5, brass shell drum would weigh around 9 lbs.

Here's a couple of pics -- same drum/shell -- with weights on them... although this is a 6.5x14 shell.

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18354&d=1279346912[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=18355&d=1279346943[/IMG]

I couldn't find any reference of an LM-406. An LM-416 is a 5x14 Supra Black Beauty. I think it could very well be brass.

I'd like to thank all of you for your time and your input regarding my '71 Supra. I truly do appreciate it.Bowing

Your feedback is proof, once again, that this is definitely the best forum on the web in regard to vintage drums. All the responses I've received motivated me to do some additional research.

I dusted off my copy of "The Ludwig Book" by Rob Cook and on page 245 found some great information in regard to 1970s Brass Supraphonic Snare Drums. Following is the narrative on this page below a picture of the exact modified (i.e., smaller w/no SN) B/0 badge that's on my drum:

"In the early 1970s a very few Supraphonic 400 snare

drums were made with brass shells. They are quite rare.

They can most easily be identified by a B or BR stamped

by the muffler and the modified blue and olive badge.

A popular theory is that these were older shells which

were drilled to accomodate brass keystone badges, so

the blue and olive badges had to be modified to fit."

Well, my drum is definitely from the early 70s (Dec.9, 1971), has the "modified" B/O badge and, upon further inspection with my one functioning eye (sorry about that!), I did discover a "B" stamped on the shell right behind the round dial muffler. I tried to take a pic of the "B" but I can't get a clear one. I can assure you that it's there though.

What I'm still not sure of is whether the "non-brass" rims on this drum are the originals. I would think that a Supraphonic with a brass shell would have also come with brass rims. Am I mistaken?

Also, I couldn't find any information at all on a Supraphonic Model LM-406. Perhaps t.c. is correct (thank you!) in that this particular model designates a brass shell?

Again, all "words of wisdom" have been, are, and will be appreciated!

My blue/olive brass supra has steel rims. Hope that helps