thanks for the wealth of information calfskin. shame it is just an entry level drum then and today, wish more were like the acrolite haha, student then pro today. As for badge, i see nowhere a badge could be unless they mounted the badge on the lower half of the snare under the seam. Aside from that i cant see anywhere it could me. And the boosey and hawkes is just a stamp.

it looks exactly like this without the fancy strainer and 6 lugs instead of 8. also the fittings match up with the spare holes on the snare...

[IMG]http://www.vintagedrumbug.com/index_image1386.jpg[/IMG]

If it was a luddy i would have sold it for £200 as im after £179 exactly for a snare up for sale near me. Be lucky to get £50 for this now haha, i think itl take precedence as my new studio snare, as I have to admit it sounds rather fantastic. Il let my modern classic do the live talk. Thanks for everyones help so far, does anyone know the model or have a catalog where this drum features?

I think you have a very cool snare drum there. I'd welcome it into my collection any day. Congratulations.

so... the paint turns out to be a house enamel, its not coming off. The only ways are chipping it off and risking damage to the shell or very strong chemicals which could also do the same. So what should I do? Try strip it with chems or do a repaint?

There are water soluble paint removers, that aren't too bad. Not sure what brands you would have but they would probably all be fairly similar.

Removing paint is a messy job, no matter how you cut it. There are always heat guns and an old credit/bank card too. Do outside-----lungs don't like.

so the plan is atm its being painted black for gig, just something thin, and then its going to be sandblasted back to perfect. BUT as a special treat for all the help, i hand cut away the enamel on the area around the stamp and have taken a photo for you guys, and will upload shortly :P