I don't know. That's what I am trying to figure out. That is the reason I asked "what reason would a person have to remove a badge on a bronze drum?"

Is there any reason you can think of? - I am trying to understand.

It's obviously a bronze shell. It's obvioulsy a Ludwig drum. I checked - and it is a seamless shell. So I think all of that is authentic. But I can't fathom a reason for removing the badge and then glueing it back onto the shell.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was originally a Black Beauty that has had the finish removed. The black plating wears thin with a lot of use, so maybe someone didn't like the way it looked and removed it somehow.

Nothing to freak out over – it's probably a legit drum, could be that it was a black beauty and the finish was wearing or a bronze finish drum that was heavily tarnished. They obviously removed the badge to polish it back...

The Bronze shells, if not taken care of, will really tarnish and oxidize bad. Here are a couple pics, that a friend of mine took, while repairing a badly oxidized bronze shell. I bet the badge on yours was in bad shape, and needed to be replaced. Are there any letters stamped in the shell, like on this one? (BZ)

I don't find any letteers stamped in the shell. But would it be hidden under a lug, or anything? If not - I don't see one.

It's not on the inside, but the outside of the shell. It's usually by or behind the throwoff, or by the muffler knob.

OK - well, I will disassemble the strainer assembly tomorrow morning and respond with what I find behind the throw off.

Thanks,

Randy

Well, I have taken the strainer assembly off. - No letters. What now?

Is it possible it is under one of the lugs?

I am going to take them off and look.

Well, I have completely disassembled the drum. I do not find any letters stamped into the drum.

Randy

The positive possibility is that someone took it all apart to polish it and re-attached the badge (poorly)....... I suppose a peek under the hardware may lend some more insight.