Yes the introduction was late 62 early 63

The Ludalloy pre serial models have the red felt baseball bat mufflers. They were also made with and without crimped snare beds.

Mike

Like Mike mentions above there are pre-serial "Supras" with Ludalloy (aluminum) shells so lack of a serial number does not guarantee a COB shell. Serial Numbers started in late 1963.

Technically all Supraphonic model drums have aluminum shells. The model name was changed from "Super Ludwig" to "Supraphonic" at the same time as the shell construction was changed. Although, with Ludwig, there was probably some crossover involved (and in the later 60's and early 70's they did make a small number of COB "Supras"). There are a fair number of Aluminum drums that are identical in nearly every detail to the COB drums (pre-serial badge, heavy lug castings, COB hoops, crimped snare beds) except that the shell is seamless aluminum instead of rolled brass.

A WFL or Ludwig "Transition" badge on the drum virtually guarantees a COB shell (assuming the badge is original to the drum). Once you cross over to the Keystone badge it gets trickier. A drum with a knob actuated muffler is more likely to be COB. A drum with the "ball bat" lever actuated muffler probably is a bit more likely to be aluminum (although that's not 100% definitive in either case). Any drum with a serial number is very unlikely to be COB.

I appreciate everyone's input, it does have the knob dampener, I will need to look closer though, so far only a few pictures.

Weight, and crimped snare beds should define it, correct?

Ludwig made both shells with crimped beds. Also the earlier drums had beefier lugs that actually weigh a bit more. So those two things aren't exact indicators. Rolled inner edges and a seam in the shell would be the two defining factors in a pre serial Ludwig being brass or not.

Mike

ALL Supraphonics have a ONE PIECE spun aluminum shell, be it crimped or rolled snare beds, serial numbers or not, or even round knob vs baseball bat mufflers.

Super-Ludwigs aka COB shells are rolled and have a soldered /brazed butt seam to the shell. The only aluminum shell that would have been rolled/brazed would have been the very early aka "prototype" Acrolite shells, and those had a textured finish in the aluminum shell.

There was a batch of Supraphonics made in '69 range that were one piece spun brass shells. I recently sold one, keystone badge with serial number. Have seen 2-3 more like it that I recall. Plus, the 70's B/o badge Supraphonics with the cut badges were also brass one piece spun shells. Owned one of those as well.

Mike