Hey Tommy - We have to stop meeting like this ;)
Thanks for the comments. Yes, those ARE the actual shell sizes, give or take maybe a 1/4". Why would Kent do this...? No freakin' clue, but nearly all of the Kent drums I've come across have been undersized, as far as the depth goes.
In fact, the snare is likely 4.5" or 4.75" deep. I didn't measure it when I had the heads off. All of the other drums I own are slightly undersized. My other Kent kit has all drums undersized by 1/8" to 1/4".
I believe they made their own shells and more than likely, the saw they used to cut them to size was off just a bit. The more I see of these odd little drums, the more I feel like each one was completely hand made - Sometimes, the hands were a little shaky I think, but they certainly have character.
I'll snap a couple of pics of the floor tom I'm restoring, as it's completely apart currently. Wait till you see all the mis-drilled holes on this thing - LOL!!! I'm certain they are original too, as they are only off by a tad and most don't go through the shell. Somebody might have had a liquid lunch the day they were drilling this puppy - LOL!!
Clark Kent signing off!! :)