The reason I asked you to put a magnet to it is because I suspect that drum may be chrome over brass. There is no discernible pitting. Is it a heavy drum?

That 'could be' a quality drum. At least somebody seems to have gone out of their way to create a drum with a 'Ludwig-like' super-sensitive style strainer system. The hoops are probably Asian manufacture I've seen those hoops on MIJ kits. The offset lugs is something you find on Ludwig piccolos, again a copied design. This little drum had to be the top of somebody's line of products. I'm really starting to think it's Russian.

Do the magnet test. If it doesn't stick and it's a heavy drum, chances are it's COB. (Chrome Over Brass) The only way to know for sure is to take a pen knife and gently scrape a little metal from one of the lug holes. If the metal underneath is yellowish, not silver metallic - it's brass.

John

Father-42 should really get a look at this. He knows his Russian drum manufacturers.

It's interesting snare and I love it but I don't remember any similar drums from old soviet drum factories or eastern EU makers.

It seems to me that is something from Italy,

Cheers,

George.

Italy was my first guess too. This thing really is a mystery drum.

John

Probably all of the European producers used sloted tension rods in 60's and 70's.

Premier used 7/32 thread, Sonor used 1/4" thread and almost all East German and Amati from Czechoslovakia used 6 mm thread

Zawada check threads on your tension rods and we will be little closer

Purdie: I did the magnet test and the magnet works with snare. And I think it is not so heavy stuff.

Dule: what do you mean by checking the threads - the size? I am attaching some additional photos, might be helpful..

If the magnet sticks... it's likely a steel shell. Steel is heavier than aluminum and it would 'feel' heavier.

John