Slingerland Radio King Student Model, 5.5x14, eight lugs, in the blue-to-silver & cream Duco burst. Sprayed lacquer, not a wrap — and the gradient still looks great after 68 years. 3-Ply Mahogany w/ Maple Re-Rings. Original 3-Point Throw & Original Butt-Plate.

Shell is Dated, not guessed. The inside of the shell carries a factory stamp reading FEB 25 1958 alongside an "M" stamp. See photos.

A note on the year: Reverb's product page for this model lists 1960–1967. That's Reverb's range, not Slingerland's — this model ran from 1948, and this shell is factory-stamped FEB 25 1958. The hardware backs it up too. This still wears the three-point strainer rather than the Rapid Strainer that came to the student line later in 1958, and the oval black-and-gold badge is the 1957–58 introduction. Early '58 is exactly where this drum sits.

Specs:

• 5.5x14, 8 lug

• Black-and-gold oval badge — "Slingerland Quality Drums / Chicago, Ill. U.S.A." — with center vent grommet

• Three-point strainer, working smoothly

• No internal muffler, so no extra hole in the shell

• 3-Ply Mahogany w/ Maple Reinforcement rings

• Chrome hoops top and bottom

• Fresh Evans Calftone & 300 Snare Side w/ fresh Wires.

Just serviced and ready to play. As I do with all vintage snares, I stripped every piece of hardware off this drum, thoroughly cleaned it all, and reassembled. It's tuned and playable the day it lands. No extra spend, no parts run.

What the teardown showed. With the hardware off I went over the whole shell. The interior is clean, dry & in very good condition. One honest note while I had it open: there's a short section of the inner ply, well away from the bearing edge, that has a slight give to it. It is not a crack in the shell - it’s the inner ply lifting just slightly. It sits flat, it's nowhere near the edge, and it's ordinary settling in a 68-year-old three-ply shell. Refer to photos.

Condition is Very Good. This drum was played. There's paint flecking across the shell and some chipping in the lacquer, all of it visible in the photos. The chrome carries light age but cleaned up bright with high grade polish.

A dated 1958 Chicago Slingerland, fully gone inspected, with fresh heads and an honest finish. Packed carefully, shipped with tracking. Message if you have any questions.

**Note: My shop policy on buyer commitments — if not paid within 24 hours of committing to purchase, buy will be cancelled & item relisted.