Here is a rare Slingerland snare that has a very interesting story of metamorphosis.
It first appears in the 1959 catalog as a “New Brass Shell Snare Drum” showing in either clear lacquered brass or chrome plating. The brass was No. 142 at $88.00, the chrome model (which this one is) was No. 145 also at $88.00. The exact same offering was shown in the 1960 catalog as well.
In the 1961A catalog it is now known as the “New Chrome Shell Snare Drum Barrett Deems Model” with the same photo but they also started to offer a 6.5” x 14” model No. 145A.
Big change in the 1963 catalog when they changed the name for the first time to the “New Radio Chrome Shell Snare Drum”. A few things happened here, they no longer offered the lacquered brass version, they added the Radio King Brackets, No. 969-S strainer side and No. 969-B butt side. They also changed the model number to No. 134 for the 5” and No. 135 for the 6.5”.
Now, in the 1963A catalog they offered two extra model versions that included a 10-lug version in both sizes, No. 141 for the 5” 10-lug and No. 142 for the 6.5” 10-lug.
But the biggest and now the most immediate recognizable change that became a standard for many years going forward was the addition of what everyone calls the, although unofficial, the “three Line” snares starting to be offered in the 1965 catalog with the three groves running horizontally around the shell.
Now, of course, these snare shells also branched off into the Sound King with Zoomatic, Festival models and so on, but I followed this direct line based on the original throw/strainer which feels the most logical.
I hope you enjoyed this early history of the first Slingerland brass shell snares and what ended up being there biggest selling line of snares ever, by far.
Stay tuned…
Edward Tucker
Studio 3T
Edward Tucker’s Catalog Corner 1959-1965 Slingerland
