Hi, the heater was most likely installed after it left the factory. I have several drums with one. I would clean it up and leave it on the drum. If you dont want to play the drum with it installed, just hang on to it for the re-sale. The buyer might want it. Cool drum.

That's a cool old drum. I'd leave the heater in, play the drum and never sell it! If you plan to sell it I'm interested if the price is reasonable.

Great looking drum. Never seen one with a heater inside. If you plan to clean it up, go slowly on the nickel plating (by hand). It can be rubbed clean off using power tools. I have used Simichrome polish with good results. On the wood surfaces, I have used Orange Oil.

jim

Thanks for the tips. This is a keeper for sure. I think I'm going to keep the skin heads and old snares on there. Should be a cool sound to have around. I've never owned a drum like this. Should these heads be kept at a lower tension that modern synthetics? I'll post a pic once I get it cleaned up.