The kit is late 1960's or 1970's. Looks like a nice one!

BUCKIE is right. It what's called a transition kit for Premier. This was in 1965-66 when Premier was converting to industry standard size drum shells. The good and bad thing about Premier was that they used up all old parts stock before going to the new parts. Old shells and hardware mixed with new. It's not uncomon to find a kit like this. The bad thing is there are NO MORE parts to be had from Premier on these old kits.

Don't quote me on this, but I believe Premier started making international sizes around 1968 and moved to square headed tension rods in the early 70s. I don't have time to dig tonight, but this might help your research.

She's a gorgeous kit!!!

JRichard"s response came up while i was still typing and seems quite accurate.

Thank you for your responses.

So is it the hardware that is more modern? what are the telling signs?

Does the fact that it is a transition kit make it any less desirable?

Prices seem to fluctuate wildly between 50/60's kits compared to 70's made ones.

The hardware. It's the Art Deco II series. The base of the tom mount is no longer round, floor tom legs are bent instead of straight. BD tension rods and claws are the new style. It wouldn't surprise me if the shells were both birch and mahogany. The prize is the wrap. Blue Shimmer. This color pops up once in a while, usually in horrible shape.

I'd buy it, it's a sweet kit.

Thank you.

With the info you have provided and looking through all the available catalogues, would it be fair to say that it could be dated somewhere between 65-70?

The seller doesn't think it can be any older than 68 at the latest....

No knowledge on Premier but wanted to add that's a very cool kit!

I am 99% sure that the seller - normally trustworthy Peter Burkes - has got the sizes on this one wrong. These ARE Pre-International, meaning limited choice of heads.

I base this on the facts that the shape on the hoops around the holes are the early "beer-barrel" shape as opposed to the later "aerodynamic" surrounds - and that the floortom has 10 lugs.

I have written Peter to inform him - check if he changes the description in the ad.

Pre-International sizes is not a catastrophe, as Remo still makes Coated Ambassadors, prefixed PR. But I would rather have the choice of Coated Emperors too - or even maybe Evans or Aquarians....meaning International sizes will be my choice.

Regards

Jon

The Black Diamond kit the seller has to offer has similar traits. Hoops are both, as Jon said, beer barrel (floor tom) and also aerodynamic (mounted toms) from what I can see. Birch shells, Premier was using mostly mahogany on their kits in the late 60's early 70's, not to say that a birch shell kit couldn't be had on request. The FT has the new legs and new mounts. The Blue Shimmer has new legs and old mounts, a swap out on the mounts is not easily done nor would it be advantageous to do.

If the Shimmer kit is pre-international heads are not an issue as Jon said, REMO does make heads for them in standard weights but with a phone call to REMO you can have ANY head made you want, it will cost you, but you still have the same options.

I've bought from the seller in the past and found him to be reputable. So, it's up to you, it's a nice kit no matter what.