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Vintage Olympic Drums - 1940's

There was very little production of drums in the 1940's due to the second world war, during which time Premier made gun sights and other items for the military. The first catalogue to appear was during 1947. Most of the production was used for export to generate revenue for the country but there were some instruments available for the home market.

The items below are believed to be from the late 40's but possibly could run into the 50's but this has been difficult to determine. Thanks go to Ken Ellender for his invaluable help with this page.

olympic twenty late 40s.jpg (64037 bytes) olympic twenty text.jpg (37816 bytes) Olympic twenty outfit
   
olympic thirty 40s kit.jpg (66646 bytes) olympic thirty text.jpg (36846 bytes) Olympic thirty outfit
   
olympic forty 1940s kit.jpg (102240 bytes)
olympic forty text.jpg (29738 bytes)
Olympic Forty outfit
   
40s olympic 83 snare 14x 6half.jpg (64506 bytes) snare drum 83&84 text.jpg (34690 bytes) First showing of No. 83 & 84 snare
   
40s olympic bass drum.jpg (62128 bytes) bass drum text.jpg (39499 bytes) New style bass drums
   
40s olympic tom.jpg (56436 bytes) availble toms.jpg (34480 bytes) Choice of four tom toms
   
the olympic snare stand 40s.jpg (21660 bytes) Snare stand No. 1303
   
Lanky spurs 1295.jpg (24619 bytes) Lanky Bass spurs No.1295
   
hoop mounted tom holder 1386.jpg (28408 bytes) Tom tom holder 1386
   
hi hat and cymbals.jpg (44182 bytes) Hi-hat stand
   
1947 price list.jpg (44783 bytes) Price list during 1947
   
late 40s olympic guarantee.jpg (99658 bytes) Your drum will last forever
   
afteroly.jpg (52873 bytes) Many thanks to Bruce Eric Lerner from Alabama USA for this pic of a brass Olympic snare from 1947. Dave Seville of the Old Drummers Club has confirmed this date. The drum has a spun brass shell, six Art-Deco style lugs, calf heads and thin rims. Possibly the snare strainer is not original. After restoring the drum Bruce sold it to a fellow drum collector.

 


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