How to decode the date stamps

[Frank Godiva]

Vintage German made drums, from Teardrops to early Designer, have 3 digit code. The first 2 numbers represent the month and the last number is the year.

Well then how can I tell the difference between the decades?

You have to know the decade when your series was made. For example, 6 ply Teardrops stated around 65 and ran into the early 70s. All the Sonor made lines through the Designer Series lasted roughly then 10 years.

So a Teardrop and a Phonic could have the same 3 digit stamp in black with say 309. Year then month. 309 would be Sept 73 or 83 depending on the series run. Teardrops early 65 to 74 and the Phonic ran 75 to 79 black or gold badge, 80 to 85 silver badge.

Why does my drum have a four digit code?

Drums made in the Asian factory have 4 in red. Alway year first then month. These lines are going over the ten year mark which may account for Sonor moving from a 3 digit to a 4 digit code.

Why does my drum have a red and a black stamp?

This applies to metal snare shells made in Asia at the KHS factory then assembled in Germany. Red is the Asian date and the black is the German date.