There were 2 or 3 colors of The Red Dots. They fit  between the Yellow Dot and the White Dot. I do remember a problem with them as they got softer than 72 on the durometer.

I sold both in the shop back then, dark brown and dark green! I know with age a lot of cover stocks change color and they may have gotten darker with age! I know the blue pearl urethane hammer I had turned green! Just my $.02, Bruce

It's definitely brown (dark brown but brown).  What model ball is it?

 It is called, believe it or not, a Columbia Red Dot. That IS the model.

  What characteristics would it have compared to anything available today?

  It would be more like a houseball. It is a three piece, softer polyester ball.

Just wonder how another ball will react in comparison as I don't have much other experience except with some junk house balls.

 This ball would be more like a plastic spare ball today. It may hook a bit more, but simply because it is probably "softer" than a new ball.

Thanks.

 You are welcome.

Sure would think if they are gonna put the serial numbers on there they would have a database of all of this information.  At least moving forward in this modern age!

 Well, there was a system in place at one time, but only a general one. The first number is the year, so that is probably a 1983 model. Not bad for a 30 year old ball.

Ok, cool... well, at least it fits WAY better than a house ball.

I have a Freeze coming but that is going to be at least 3 weeks away and then I'm still not sure I even want to drill it right away as my game is JUST starting to develop and I imagine it will change pretty drastically in the next couple of months as I keep working on it.

Sorry, I'm getting off topic now.

 It has been my experience that, at times, it is better to throw a ball that fits really well than to fight one that doesn't. Fit can make LOTS of difference.

 When you finally do drill that Freeze, it will be quite different from the ball you pictured here, due to the fact that it has both a reactive cover, AND a dynamic core.

 If you are just starting to learn the proper way to get a hook ball, I think I would recommend going ahead and getting the Freeze drilled. The technique that works well with old style polyester balls doesn't necessarily translate well into the dynamic reactive balls of today.

 If you are just learning the game, learn how to play it with the equipment you will be using, and that is the reactive balls. The technique is totally different from plastic, and you will be better off in learning to do it that way from the beginning.