Okay, so here is a snare comparison, (to add to the confusion). On the left is the snare from the Crown kit in question - on the right is ,(what I believe to be) a Pearl/Crown snare drum of similar construction, era, and finish. Please note the vastly different badge as one from first thread, as well as different lugs, and most particularly, the similarity/difference in the wrap finish. Both a medium/dark blue, diamond pearl, but the one on the right is slightly lighter, and the diamond pattern is larger and more pronounced... My question here is; what is the likelihood that Pearl would produce similar quality of drums, under the same stencil name, with different hardware and such a slight variance in finish? Perhaps it's merely due to the periods that they were produced, I don't know. Any further insight from the MIJ experts would be greatly appreciated.

Okay, here is another bit of flotsam for the pond...

Here is a different snare by 'Crown'. It's from about 1965. How do I know? Because I got it new, for Christmas in 1965, along with the kit that went with it.

I do not still have the kit, and getting this snare back is another long story, but suffice it to say, here is another 'Crown' with different hardware and a different badge.

I always thought it was by Pearl...

Hey fish, yours is a Pearl variant. Star did indeed have a go at the Crown line, but only for a couple of years. It loos like all of the snares in this thread are as well.

On photo's 1,2,3, the lug on the left i have seen on many sets made by Pearl..The lug on the right i have seen on many Star made set's..Mikey

For what it's worth, here are a couple of lugs from a 1966 Crown in a similar color as yours. First the bass, then a floor tom.

Thanks for the responses guys. The consensus seems to be that they are probably Pearl. Have gotten into the MIJ thing just this year... well last year, and have collected a variety of drums, and have learned quite a bit from being a member of this forum, and it's been a hoot. Picked up this kit about a month ago, originally believing it to be Star, but was not sure. Had searched earlier threads hoping to pinpoint the details but had come up short. Any idea what approximate date these are? The kick drum is drilled for a consolette mount, and appears to have holes for two separate cymbal mounts, (not sure if they're both original). Bearing edges need a bit of work, but the wrap is in pretty good shape - figure it's worth spending a bit of time to restore, just missing the rack tom... anyone? Thanks.

My Crown oval badge is strangs.Its a matching kit but the 12 and snare drum have maple rings,the 16 has no rings,and the 20 also has no rings but has a flat grey interior.The red onyx is mint as i found out yesterday when i cleaned them up.Makes a great low impact jazzer kit.

Wayne, your Crown kit is from the pre-67 on the rering drums and post-67 on the grey interiors. Probably a piece together from a close out sale in the late 60s or early 70s.