WFL snare drum
10 June 2021
Description

7" x 14 " wooden snare drum with WFL keystone badge. circa 1930s. Wood has been sanded and urethaned from the original (not by me). Signs of age, rust, chrome pitting, but in fine working condition and great sounding.

Provenance

Purchased for $100 around 1978, this was the studio snare drum at Starr Recording, a pPhiladelphia recording studio from 1977-1987. The strainer tightening screw was stripped and the part replaced by The Drum Shop in NYC.

Acquired from
Other
For sale
Yes
Answered within 3 days
By Leah I.
Jun 12, 23:39 UTC
Fair Market Value
$200 - $300 USD
Suggested Asking Price $250 USD
What does this mean?

Thank you for contacting Mearto. I think it is mahogany. I agree with you about the 1930s dating. This page has labels and dates that are helpful to reference:
http://www.vintagedrumguide.com/ludwig_badges.html

Below are some links to asking prices and sales results of similar drums. I was unable to find exact dates for many, but it should give us a good idea of the market.

In looking at the sales records, I estimate that the value is somewhere between $200 and $300. However, note the higher asking prices listed as well.

Please let me know if I can assist further.

Asking $850, 1941, better condition
https://bit.ly/3xiMcF2

Asking $375, 1958, restored
https://reverb.com/item/27570960-1958-wfl-5-5-x14-pioneer-snare-w-natural-lacquer-finish-restored

Asking $275, some damage, no date
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333964098350?hash=item4dc1cfbb2e:g:4oUAAOSwSQhejg8C

Asking $665, some damage, no date
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333590478080?hash=item4dab8abd00:g:6y8AAOSww41erxQz

Asking $725, 1950s
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333944055019?hash=item4dc09de4eb:g:KJIAAOSwJdRgZy-a

Sold for $300
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164671921126?hash=item2657361be6:g:baAAAOSwc35gEkv8

Sold for $250, different style same material, 1950s
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265103394662?hash=item3db964c766:g:Ds0AAOSweepgX2XP

Sold for $280, missing surface
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133708534288?hash=item1f21a65210:g:5bQAAOSwZ1VgYhCk

Sold for $175, different style same material
https://www.ebay.com/itm/333961464104?hash=item4dc1a78928:g:uCYAAOSwg9hgeKSN

Sold for $150, different style same material, 1940s
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324566194622?hash=item4b91a719be:g:esMAAOSwt65gcxme

David starobin Jun 13, 14:23 UTC

Leah -
Thank you for the work you did on this appraisal.
That is exactly the information I needed.
- David

Leah i. Jun 14, 23:16 UTC

Great.

Do you have a similar item and want to know how much it’s worth?

Communicate directly with a qualified specialist and get a fair market valuation of your item, typically in 48 hours or less.

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