Valid points all around.
I think one could also state that a drum has period correct calf heads, or period correct hardware etc.
They may not be the exact calf heads that shipped out of the factory but at least a vintage calf head is period correct...
I think that "for sale" ads for many vintage drum sets with older looking calf heads might best be worded as having calf heads that look like they could be the originals that came on the drums.
Here's a pic of my drum with "original" calf heads. These ARE the original calf heads. Period correct would be if i bought these heads yesterday and put them on the drum. These heads have been on this drum since the 1920's. And even if they were put on the drum just yesterday they're still the original heads. They have the cow stamp. This gives new meaning to the abbreviation, pc - period correct. Let's all be a bit more pc -period correct and stop using the word "original" Those lugs on your snare that you thought were original? Well, you can't say that anymore. Why? Well, someone took offense. From now on you gotta say they're period correct. :P
Period correct sounds so English too :D
A drum's owner who is selling the drum(s) could cover his butt by saying something like: "everything about this drum looks original to me". This leaves room for the matter to be challenged by a nit picker. My personal take on the originality of a vintage drum or drum set is for the drum(s) to look period-correct to me. I don't obsess about tension rods on snare drums or toms. But, I do prefer that the bass drums have the correct tension rods for the period, and my Walberg & Auge snares and toms to have the large hex head t-rods for the appropriate years. I also don't obsess about nuts and bolts inside the drums that are not seen unless the heads are off. And, I use the heads that I want to use with the exception of wanting a period-correct logo bass drum reso head.
Is it correct that vintage radio king snares should have star washers, I haven't looked at the slingerland websites (coopers etc) for a while, but during what years did they originally come out of the factory with star washers. Because I'm sure most including my own 40s one don't have these (the ones you see for sale). Wouldn't that mean that these washers have been changed by people who have had these drums. I mean I've seen some but most (even the realy old ones) are usually being sold with normal but old looking washers.?
