does this mean that no one recognizes it? is it junk maybe?

Hi. I am not familiar with these drums -other than the name....but I don't think anyone would consider it "junk"! There are certainly experts on this brand, though. Be patient and maybe one of them will eventually see your question and respond. You can also try posting the subject in the "Non-USA" drum section of this website. Good luck!

John Grey were a highly respected British manaufacturer for many years. The British site Mike Dolbear has a forum where you can get some really detailed info though I'm sure there a few experts in here who will show their hand.

Regards,

David

The site affiliated with this forum actually has an outline of John Grey's history, here: http://www.vintagesnaredrums.com/john_grey.html. John Grey made Drums (and Banjos and Guitars) from 1911 to 1960. The Broadway range was their non-pro, but still very good, with their Autocrat range being the pro range. Some trivial info and interesting things about the snare you have: I think it is about late 50's, really cool cast hoops, old style slotted tuning rods, deep snare beds, I don't think that is the original snare strainer. I understand that Ringo used a John Grey Autocrat snare before the Ludwig endorsement.

So, while the value of your snare is probably in the $ hundreds, not thousands, it is pretty cool, definitly not junk. I have an Autocrat (kit incl snare) that I plan to renovate. It looks like the same vintage as your's and had the original calf heads on. The snare also has that really deep snare bed, and I haven't been able to get a decent tuning out of it - the area of the head by the snare bed comes up crinkled, not matter high highly tensioned it is (although I have not had enough time to have a good go of it, so not yet given up). I'd be interested in your experience.