Home

Decades
1930's
1940's
1950's
1960's
1970's
present day

Badges
Snare drums
Drum keys
Finishes
Drummers
Strange but true
Rarities
History
Marching
Olympic USA
Kits

FAQ *NEW*

Guestbook
Links
Thanks
Contact



 

Vintage Olympic Drums - 1930's

The very first mention of the Olympic name happened when the Premier catalogue "M" was issued in January 1937 which showed several kits at different price levels for those who could not afford a top line Premier kit.

The 1939 catalogue "O" shows the same kits but with increased prices which were to increase again as the war began and materials became scarce. There was still only one Olympic snare drum available. Thanks to Ken Ellender for his invaluable help with this. 

 
1937 Olympic snare drum.jpg (40323 bytes) 1937, 6 lug snare
 
1930's Olympic snare.jpg (20680 bytes) 1930's snare, which is very similar to the drum pictured above
 
1930's Olmpic snare 2.jpg (23222 bytes)

6 lug, tube style, 13.5 x 5 with calf skin heads. 

Top rim stamped - Premier and bottom rim stamped - Olympic - British Made.

 
1937 start rite kit.jpg (39048 bytes) The first steps to drumming stardom. 1937
 
Next in the 1937 line up for those with more cash
 
The 15 kit with more toys to play with. 1937
 
Top of the range Gigster kit complete with your own console. 1937
 
1939 consolette kit.jpg (41680 bytes)
1939 consolette kit list.jpg (28451 bytes)
1939 Consolette kit with a tom tom
1930s seperate tension bass drum.jpg (31004 bytes)
1937 bass drum prices.jpg (20962 bytes) Separate tension bass drum and the price list from 1939
 
1930s single tension bass drum.jpg (31314 bytes) bass drum ad.jpg (30758 bytes) Single tension Bass Drum
1939 olympic 12 kit.jpg (44287 bytes)
olympic 12 1939 list.jpg (23121 bytes)
1939 Model 12 Olympic outfit
 
30s logo header.jpg (10003 bytes) 1930's style logo.
no logo's were put on Bass Drums at this time
 
outfit 10.jpg (62813 bytes) 1939 Model 10 Olympic outfit
 
outfit 12.jpg (51473 bytes) 1939 Model 12 Olympic outfit
 
outfit 15.jpg (63156 bytes) 1939 Model 15 Olympic outfit

all content (c) David McCready 2005 - 2008
site designed & maintained by Simon Dring