http://www.hochrainerpauke.de/lefima/history.html

http://vintageandrare.com/?page=item&id=558

http://web2.ekurz.htmldesign.de/eng/lefima/geschich/index.php

[COLOR="DarkRed"]Aha !...Markneukirchen ! there were a hella lotta instrument makers in Markneukirchen back in the day ! A lotta woodwind and brasswinds were made there, too.....

....they seem to produce marching and symphonic drums exclusively....[/COLOR]

Lefima had drum kits in the 60's and 70's. I have seen a few on ebay-----even ebay.com. but like many of their contemporaries, they were outmuscled in price by the mass produced cheap(in price and quality) oriental stuff. The drum you have has elements in common with several other German orchestra snare mfg.; Dresdner Apparatebau and Trowa---similar hoops and throwoff. This is an orchestra snare and I would think it dates from at least the 30's. As for collectability? well, I would think some orchestra snare enthusiasts might like it but I can't see there being much interest in the pop culture dominated world, irregardless of how good a drum it might be.

Old LEFIMA's plant was renamed by GDR goverment to TACTON and soon was closed in 70's , but all the equipment was transfered from Markneukirchen to TROWA's factory in Weissenfels.

Collegue calfskin, all the time I really enjoying all of your posts about legendary German drum's manufacturers!

Respect!

Back to this thread, suddenly I think that snare is very similar to:

- Sonor "655-..." and "365-..." series of 30's era; .

- Sonor "Universal 1/108" and "D-407" of 50's era;

What do you think, fellows, isn't right?