I had a Pre-Split Isti Mel Lewis 21" Ride some time ago that got like that in shipping to me..

I popped it back out,but was sure worried it would crack!

$$$ out the window if it did!

But,no..popped right back...

Okay, it looks like the overwhelming concensus of opinion is that the bottom hat is flipped.

This was my original thought, back in the seventies, but the cymbal felt too strong to flip so I guessed it was just manufactured that way intentionally. I then went on to use that pair of hi hats for the next 25, or so, years! It meant the bottom hat bell was sitting upside down on the stand, with the cymbal body in the traditional orientation. I just raised the stand a little to account for the height difference.

Since around 2000, I converted to Sabian, and these Zildjians have remained cased in my garage ever since. I dont think they will revert back easily at all, and I am reluctant to try to flip them back now, as I've used them the way they are ever since I've had them, and really dont think the sound would alter any anyway.

Shame the answer wasn't more romantic, being a one-off special set for some big drummer or occasion or something, and a worth a rare fortune. I guess thats just life! DOH

Ps - any advice on the estimated manufacturing date still appreciated. Thanks.

Put it on a baseball and push it bak into shape !!

...or get a round container like a soup pot or trash can to support the cymbal when you pop it back. It's not uncommon, and I've had to "right" a couple myself.

Not uncommon for light weight cymbals but completely uncommon for a 14" cymbal of this weight. He's going to have to put it in top of one of those sewer cover cymbals and stand on it with both feet.

No, 760g isn't heavy for a 14". Should be a piece of cake.