if this is MIJ, I would think that it is exceedingly rare.

Looks like some nice work to me. I will be interested to hear a verdict, or two, from the lads.

The Pearl strainer looks out of place on that drum. BTW, that drum is not 'engraved' it is 'etched.' Engraving involves an artist cutting the design into the metal, etching involves a photo-chemical process and special film. Engraving is a time consuming and expensive process, etching is cheap and easily reproducible, as in; can be mass produced. It could also be produced using a *CAD laser etching system. (*Computer Assisted Drawing)

All that said, I've never seen a drum like this one. Die-cast hoops, etched shell, tube lugs, everything about it says it's a quality drum, but that MIJ Pearl strainer is a real mystery. It just doesn't look like it belongs with the rest of the hardware on that drum. Maybe it was added later? I'm interested to see if anybody knows what this critter is. If that Pearl strainer wasn't on there, I'd guess it was a modern European knock-off of a brass 20's/30's Black Beauty.

Interesting drum. What does it sound like? How does it play? Any tags or writing inside the shell? No badge or tags????? Is it a 'heavy' drum? Look for a seam(s) inside of the shell.

John

It appears to be a custom job. I,ve done shells like that many years ago, in fact it could be one of them.

Is there any chance that's a Supra shell?

Looks kinda like a sensitone shell. you can see an xtra hole below the strainer.

Yes, I mentioned it was etched; I thought "engraved" might arouse more interest and thereby an answer.

I don't have the drum. It is in Tennessee, and is part of a possible bulk purchase that a friend has asked advice about.

Mystery solved. It turns out to be an imported (Taiwan) Ludwig 100th Anniversary "Black Magic" brass shell snare. The panels are in fact laser etched.

Hmmmm, despite being the late cheap import cousin to the BB family, I've heard these drums can be quite badass. Is this true?