Ermmm thanks for those Mark. I think?
The frame certainly has a number of features that have been found on a number of Claud from immediately before, during and after the war up until the late 40’s. Which is not untypical of this mixed up period.
Looking through the number archives doesn’t actually give us the more exacting date one would normally expect because during this period things seem to got a bit messy admin wise at CB what with some of there production certainly of lightweights being made up in Lancashire with the London workshops predominantly making utility/service bikes.
The number sort of fits a set we have that seem to straddle 1945/6 with a continuation of the the actual frame numbers which could explain the high frame count for Feb 1946.
But this is only one theory explaining the number anomalies.
Another is an assumption that there was a separate count for the government orders, but I doubt this bike is one of those.
Last and yes possibly clutching a straws here, there is the very long shot it’s from December 1936.
Why? Well we do have a number of numbers in the mid to late 30’s that not only didn’t bother with the “3” digit for the thirties but also the “1” digit for the months October, November & December so 624722 just might represent 1936 (6) December (2) frame count 4722.
I’ve asked the seller for the date stamp on the Sturmey hub casing and if there are any markings on the crankset.