VeloFellow54
Old School Hero
Judging by the number of queries relating to dating 'real' Claud Butler frames that keep appearing both here and elsewhere, I am posting this in the hope of generating some interest in this topic. OK - so we are talking frame numbers for the period up to the Holdsworth takeover - i e genuine CB's. The period after 1951/2 seems quite straight forward. 2 rows of numbers under the BB and on the steerer tube. One the frame number - the other the date code. I have a 'Massed Start' model with codes 518 over 4183. The 518 denotes a manufacturing date of August 1951. Simple !!
However, what of frames from the late 40's (or earlier) ? I have a lugless frame (ca.194 with simply 8104253 - and I have seen other similar period CB frames with frame numbers like : 91651 or 111742 or 883499. There appears to be no logic here at all.
So - maybe it is time that we made an attempt to sort out this numbering problem once and for all. I invite all CB owners of frames pre say 1950 to post their frame numbers with a picture and brief description. Let's see what results from this. Maybe we can sort this mess out !
However, what of frames from the late 40's (or earlier) ? I have a lugless frame (ca.194 with simply 8104253 - and I have seen other similar period CB frames with frame numbers like : 91651 or 111742 or 883499. There appears to be no logic here at all.
So - maybe it is time that we made an attempt to sort out this numbering problem once and for all. I invite all CB owners of frames pre say 1950 to post their frame numbers with a picture and brief description. Let's see what results from this. Maybe we can sort this mess out !