Side
note: Why did Ludwig like the Keystone shape?
There were other companies that used the keystone in
advertising and logos. The Keystone is the strongest
stone in an arch and the middle point between the left
and right side. It was a symbol of strength.
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1960-1963 |
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This
is called the pre-serial Keystone Badge and this
is the badge that you will find most common for
brass snare drums. If you have a Super with this
badge it should be brass but in some cases the
new Ludwig Ludalloy. |
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1964 - 1969 |
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This
is the Serial Numbered Keystone Badge and by this
time Ludwig was using the Ludalloy shell. These
drums usually have small pits
and flaking in the chrome. The bond between
the Ludalloy and the chrome did not work like
the brass. |
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1969-1979 |
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This
badge is called the Blue and Olive badge. You
will also see it as the B/O Badge. If you have
a Super Sensitive with this badge it is not brass.
There are some examples that have come up with
brass shells, but they usually had the cut version
of this badge. |
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Ludwig
had made the new B/O badges and had shells that
were drilled for the Keystone badge. So to make
the new B/O badges fit they had to cut them. |
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1971-1972 |
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In
1971-1972 Ludwig also used B & O Badges without
Serial Numbers (LVDC) (photo
courtesy O-Lugs) |
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This
cut badge was on a late 70's BB. So it would indicate
that Ludwig had something in inventory and to make
it work they cut the badge. |
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1979 - Mid 80's |
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This
badge is called the Blue and Olive badge with
rounded corners. It has been said that this change
was made because the pointy version above would
catch on clothes especially in marching and bend
the badge. (Should not be a brass shell) |
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Mid 1980's
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This
is called the Monroe Keystone badge and started
in the mid 1980's after the company was sold to
Selmer. They did have bronze shelled Supers in
the 1991 Catalog |
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