I would think that would be a difficult fix without making a "relief" cut to allow the bubbled wrap to lay down. How about a low heat and using some sort of needle/hypodermic to inject glue and try a c-clamp with some wood to cover the affected area and clamp like there's no tomorrow?

I would think that the wrap bubbled because of temp. change, so maybe a soft heat (blow dryer) might allow more flexibility?

Mike, I have in the pass fixed this problem with wrap.The way i have done this is use a needle to make small holes in the finish then add some glue.You then would take some pieces of shells with C=clamps put one oiece of the used shell on the outside of the snare shell-"i use wax paper on the inside of the piece just in case of glue comes out "so the piece will not glue up to your shell.I also use a piece of shell on the inside of your shell then clamp it up with C-clamps..Before i do any of this i let the drums finish warn up but don't put the drum in sunlight it may wrap the finish more..NEVER use any type of heat-{gun,hair dryer} ete on this kind of finish all the pearl finishes from the 20's-60's could flash FIRE on you...Mikey

Honest, Mike, other than Mikey's suggestion, (really worth a try,) I frankly don't think the wrap can be saved. It'll never lay down right and more likely than not, it'll be damaged (FUBAR) in the attempt. Clamping down old, desiccated, inflexible wrap is a tough trick without cracking it. If by some chance the wrap is still pliant/pliable, then by all means, give Mikey's suggested method the old college try. The wrap is likely a goner anyway... nothing to lose in trying.

John

That damage is due to stretching, not really a bubbling effect. We see it mostly on really cheaply wrapped MIJ drums that have been over-tensioned for far too long and it is an all the time occrurance. However, a drum of this age, likely had original calf heads and someone changed them out for plastic. This is damage I really don't think you should, even considering your extensive experience, mess with. If it feels like it is "stiff" to the touch, leave it be, you will only make it worse.

This statement is made purely as a friendly gesture, not as a highly experienced tech, but I've never gotten one to lay back down.

I had 2 1960's era sonor drums where the wrap had bubbled/melted at seams, causing splits at other areas on wrap. I sent them to Jack Lawton and he worked a miracle on them. I think he used low heat to shrink the bumps back down. I'm not sure if this required making pinholes , etc .

larry