Fullerton, CA Powertone paper tags start in early to mid 1971 and run to the end of 1972.

In Sept of 1972 they come up with the design for the new 9/72 small sticker. They start using these 9/72 tags late 1972 or in the beginning of 1973 till 1975 and then they changed to the Big "R" foil tags.

Very helpful swsh2! Thanks for that.

Do you know anything about the fibre used?

Fibre? These drums were made from an organic fibre that grows in an upright position and is more or less round in its cross section. These fibrous tubes are then peeled and the peels are referred to as "Ply" which are then put into a mold and pressed into round hollow "shells."

They are wood.

Uh, yeah, but the interior looks like some kind of fibre (see photo link, 1st post)

That speckled gray trunk paint is the same type of paint that was used in the trunks of cars back in the day. Splatter paint. over Wood.

Thanks for dispelling my ignorance! Much appreciated.