I believe what you have there is a Premier Super Ace. I recently aquired one, myself. It appears that yours is missing the chrome piece that fits onto the shell where the throw-off goes through. I was lucky to find a complete new parallel-lift system, including wires, but it set me back a bit, price-wise. Last I checked, it was still posted on the guy's website after I recieved mine, so he may have more of them in his warehouse. I'll look again and see if it's still listed. Meanwhile, here are some pics of mine for you to compare.

[IMG]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/p417x417/10494755_892239717471124_3514575151525206346_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10394476_892238827471213_9201761120147727523_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10488381_892238590804570_5177093633782389969_n.jpg?oh=708fa3286586de7907d386cb4335a9e4&oe=5448B992&__gda__=1413802744_649ec3b2459d32dfabe2181ae491b46f[/IMG]

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t1.0-9/10488108_892239107471185_4335594758570520393_n.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10462006_892239500804479_525493706080390887_n.jpg[/IMG]

If all else fails, I think someone on here mentioned un-soldering the wires from the ends and re-soldering replacement wires from, for instance, a marching snare like the old Ludwigs which had individually mounted wires.

The parallel-lift is still on his website. Follow the link below and scroll down a bit more than half way and you will see it. I would suggest contacting Bill to see if he still has one. It cost me about $185 USD, including shipping, and took about 2 weeks to get mine, but worth it to me! If this is indeed a Super Ace, you will love it! They sound great, and are one of the most collectable Premier snares, being the fore-runner of the Royal Ace line. What makes me think yours is a Super Ace is the parallel lift and strainer mechanism. The later Royal Aces had a clamshell throw-off. Hope this helps.

http://www.members.westnet.com.au/billv/accessories.html

Oh, incidentally, my snare had the original wires, which consisted of a single strand. The wires shown on the website above are what is called the "double 10s" and will still work just fine. Also, Bill has this listed (incorrectly, I believe) as a Royal Ace system. I believe it is listed incorrectly because of the throw-off, as I explained above. BUT, I am NOT an expert, and am open to being corrected by some of the more knowledgeable REAL experts on this forum, for whom I have MUCH respect!

Yes, I agree that it's a Super Ace... I picked one up a few weeks ago and have been cleaning it up on and off for the few days. Mine has the 'double 10' wires which appear stretched but hopefully still usable. My problem is with the tension on the wires. Even with the tension knobs all the way in on both sides, there is barely any tension. It's almost like there should be something in between the end of the tension screw and the plate that it pushes up against to create the tension... maybe I'm missing something? Not sure it's worth dropping $185 on a whole new mechanism.... I'll try futzing around with it a while longer unless anyone has any immediate insight!

Sure sounds like your wires are stretched. Fortunately, "double 10s" are easier to come by than the 18-strand. UNFORTUNATELY, they will run you $70-$100. You can find them on eBay pretty regularly, though. Here's atn 18-strand on eBay currently for $59. Good deal, if they aren't stretched also.

[ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Premier-Clip-Snare-Wires-Set-18-Strand-15-5-8-Royal-Ace-Snare-/251578442241?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item3a933e6201"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Premier-Clip-Snare-Wires-Set-18-Strand-15-5-8-Royal-Ace-Snare-/251578442241?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item3a933e6201[/ame]