First of all, this is an attempt to track the changes made to the early Ludwig brass shelled snare drums that use the classic P-338 strainer only.

I’ve gathered this information from the Ludwig catalogues at Vintage Drum Guide dot Com, and there are a couple of omissions. Hopefully we can fill in the blanks along the way. You can see the catalogues here:http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_snare_drum_catalog_pages.html

The descriptions below only show the items that changed from the previous years catalogues. This list tracks changes and doesn’t mention the things that remained the same from year to year (Remember based on the info in the catalogs only). These catalogues may not be the last word on those vintage drums, but for this study the catalogues rule! If we can gather good photos here of known (or likely) stock drums that match what these catalogues demonstrate, then we may have a good base to start narrowing the date lines of our old “1920s” Ludwig snares.

I know that there are variations out there too. With this list let’s try to prove/match what the catalogues demonstrate first.

(Now I’m gonna lean on Ya! Would you please help by using this list to narrow a date range for the snares in your collection of this type, and match the descriptions here with photos that include views that show the logo, vent location, and describe any patent markings on the P-338 strainer, if it has any? Please post your photos or links to your photos in this thread so we have this information available in one spot.)

Oh, one other thing, lets maintain a "NO PHOTOS, NO DRUM" policy when describing our snare drums here. For clarification this means I want you to post photos to verify what you describe. We all must be able to see the evidence.

Thank you!

Description:

1918-1919

1) The “All Metal Separate Tension” model (This model name with the P-338 strainer was offered every year until the 1928 catalogue).

2) Nickel plated 18gauge hard-spun brass shell.

3) No flange nickel plated steel hoops.

4) Logo on hoop. (Oval with Ludwig & Ludwig Chicago inside??? This one was hard to see on the catalogue pages.)

5) P-338 strainer.

6) 6 brass tube lugs standard on all sizes.

7) Gut snares

8) Vent hole is not seen in the catalogue images so it is assumed it is located on the opposite side of the strainer as seen in those images.

14” & 15” diameters with 4”, 5” and 6.5” depths available.

1922 – No catalogue - See the 1922 Ludwig advertisement featuring the “New DeLuxe finish model” in my post below.

1) Single flanged hoops were now being advertised.

2) 6 lug “New DeLuxe finish" model now being advertised.

1923

1) Single flange non-rusting nickel plated brass hoops.

2) Logo now on shell just left of the strainer in strainer panel above center rib and no longer on hoop.

3) 8 lugs now standard on all sizes.

4) New Deluxe model now available in gunmetal finish (black nickel) with hand engraving and gold style finish on rods, lugs and hoops.

5) New Inspiration model with real gold plating on trim available (may or may not be engraved it’s not clear in the catalogue).

6) All gold plated on request (may or may not be engraved it’s not clear in the catalogue).

2 diameters and 3 depths still available.

1924

1) 8 lugs on 14” dia. models with 10 lugs now standard on 15” models. (10 lugs available on 14” models on request.)

2) Gut snares standard but silk available on request.

3) Inspiration model not engraved.

4) All Gold model not engraved.

2 diameters and 3 depths still available.

1926

1) 10 lugs is now standard on all sizes.

2) Deluxe and Inspiration models now also offered in 2 new finishes: Stiplegold and White enamel.

3) Triumphal model now available. All gold plated, engraved and burnished.

4) Now on the Ornamental Models only (Deluxe, Inspiration and Triumphal), it appears that the Logo is now a panel to the left of the strainer, and no longer just to the left of the strainer in the same panel.

Now with only 2 diameters 14”&15”, and 2 depths 4”& 5” available.

1927

1) The Inspiration model has its name changed and is now called the Gold Trim model.

2) Stiplegold is no longer available but Ludwigold is now offered in its place on the Deluxe model and the Gold Trim model.

2 diameters and 3 depths still available.

1928

The new Pioneer model is introduced and the All Metal Separate Tension models with P-338 strainer are retired. The four Ornamental models with P-338 strainers and the Pioneer model remained the only brass shell with P-338 strainer snares being offered by Ludwig from 1928 through 1929. (Notice the similarities that the new Pioneer model has to the 1918-1919 description.)

1) Nickel plated brass shell.

2) No flange steel hoops.

3) Logo on hoop (Oval with Pioneer Model inside).

4) P-338 strainer.

5) 8 brass tube lugs standard on all sizes. (retail price $25.00)

6) Silk Wire snares

7) Vent hole is not seen in the catalogue images so it is assumed it is located on the opposite side of the strainer as seen in those images.

Now offered only in 2 diameters and 2 depths still available.

1929

1) 6 lugs. Now the Pioneer model has 6 lugs for the first time since its introduction. Ludwig apparently went back to a 6 lugger because the price of this drum was reduced from $25.00 to $22.50. The US stock market crashed this year and the Great Depression began in the USA.

The catalogue does mention that the Pioneer’s “shell is spun to perfect round, reinforced by the spun turnover at both edges, and strengthened by the double spun bead at the center”.

2 diameters and 2 depths still available.

1930

The four Ornamental models with P-338 strainers are retired.

1) Now a shell change is mentioned. In contrast to the previous year the catalogue description now includes, “The Pioneer model shell is made of metal and strengthened by the raised bead in the center”. The retail price is still $22.50.

The Conn Company purchased the Ludwig company sometime between 1929 and 1930.

Now with only 1 diameter 14”, and 2 depths 4”& 5” available.

1932

1) 8 lugs. By this time the Pioneer model has been changed back to 8 lugs. The retail price is still $22.50.

2) Logo style change. (Oval with Ludwig Pioneer Model inside)

1 diameter and 2 depths still available.

1933

Ludwig reintroduces their Universal model (It had been out of the catalogue since 1929) and for the first time with the P-338 strainer so this year they start offering two metal shell models with the P-338. (Again notice the similarities to the 1918-1919 description.)

Universal model

1) Nickel plated brass shell. Catalogue claims “shell is made without seams of spun brass and has a reinforcing bead.”

2) No flange steel hoops.

3) Logo on hoop (Oval with Universal Model inside).

4) P-338 strainer.

5) 6 lugs

6) Vent hole is not seen in the catalogue images so it is assumed it is located on the opposite side of the strainer as seen in those images.

7) Only one size a 14” diameter and 5” depth is available.

Pioneer model

1) Vent hole is now depicted in the panel to the left of the strainer panel.

2) Logo is no longer on the hoop and the drum has the new Pioneer badge on the vent. (1 diameter and 2 depths still available.)

1934-1935

No new changes described or depicted for either the Pioneer or Universal models.

1936

1) Pioneer model now has single flanged hoops.

2) Pioneer is now only offered in one size a 14” diameter and 5” depth.

1937

1) Now no mention of silk, just wire wound snares for both Pioneer and Universal models.

1938-1940

1) The Pioneer model is now offered again in 2 sizes, 1 diameter 14”, and 2 depths 5” & 6.5” available.

1941

Universal model

1) The Universal model is now offered in 2 sizes, 1 diameter 14”, and 2 depths 5”& 6.5” available

Pioneer model

1) The Pioneer model image now appears to have the 45 degree angle downward on the strainer snare wire bracket (The part with the 12 wire holes in it.).

2) The Pioneer is now only being offered in 1 size with a 14”diameter and 6.5” depth.

:)