Frame identification by frame number
Author Alvin Smith
Possible identification of bicycle frames using only frame numbers – initial guidance
Sometimes bicycles or frames are found with no makers’ transfers or badges on them –and occasionally with badges/transfers that are not correct! In these cases examination of the frame number – where it is, what it is, and how it is, may be of some assistance at least in allowing other specialists to hazard a guess at the true origin of the frame or machine. This note was begun before the V-CC published the two volumes of Lightweight Catalogues wherein the various marque enthusiasts (ME’s) had set out frame number lore for their makes. These publications have been invaluable in adding accuracy to the information – but even including their data there are still well over 200 makes of possible lightweights to be confused over! The author would be grateful to know of any inaccuracies and to receive further information to make the tables more comprehensive.
1 Examine the bicycle for the location of the frame number. See Table 1
Frame
It could be under the bottom
bracket (BB) (Left),
on the near side (N/S) (left when sitting on the bike) rear drop out,
or on the seat tube cluster (saddle pin lug where it usually on the N/S
but just sometimes on the back or O/S). Don’t be fooled by
casting numbers, especially on the BB. For example, some BSA
frames have BSA and a 3 or 4 figure number cast into the base of the
BB, this is just the casting number or perhaps a model number
–
it is not the frame number. Nervex, the lug maker, also had
their
name on their BB lugs with a long design serial number. Make
a
note of where on the BB the number is and its orientation –
for
example, is it upright or inverted for reading when lifting the front
wheel up with the rear wheel still on the ground? Is it central or on
the left or right flange of the BB as seen from this upright view? Most
builders stamped the number at 6 o’clock when viewed from the
N/S
axle position but some set them at 9 o’clock (on the down
tube
side of the BB). Some builders stamped the numbers parallel
to
the edge of the BB, yet others are random when compared over the
years. Other locations?
Most builders also stamped the frame number on the steerer tube of the front forks – but you may not wish to strip the machine down for this and in any case the forks may have been changed over the years. It can be worthy of note however that as sometimes very thick layers of paint can make the main frame number difficult to read –the steerer tube number is the only reliable evidence! Granby before 1940 used to punch the number on the underside of the head tube –along the bottom edge of the fork crown. Dursley Pedersen numbers are underneath the leading edge of the front fork spreader plate which carries the lower steering swivel of this frame, with the frame’s size number on the right (near side of the same member).
2 Examine the frame number –what does it contain? See Table 2
Is it a plain serial number or does it have some preceding numbers or letters (a prefix) or perhaps has some numbers or letters that follow the main number (a suffix)? In order to be a prefix or suffix in this instance there should be a space between the number and the pre or suffix part, ot perhaps they are on a different line. Note that some number sequences contain a code –perhaps made up by having the year of manufacture as the initial or last numbers or indeed both! For simplicity this analysis stops at this point and refers you to the published sources or if you are a member of the Veteran-CycleClub (V-CC) to the appropriate ME.
3 Examine the type of character - its font or its shape. See Table 3
Note the type of font of the numbers or letters –are they curly or straight in style, and then their size –are they large or small – for this table a simple division into large or small has been made at 4mm (= 5/32 inch)
When you have established these frame number characteristics refer to the tables below and see if you can find a possible manufacturer. Not all possible variations are shown in the tables to avoid them becoming too cluttered! Also very few makers maintained the same system of numbering throughout their production run – there will be many exceptions! However, if within the imperfections of this information you feel you have identified a maker, then if a member send your frame number details to the appropriate V-CC Marque Enthusiast together with any other descriptions such as the lugs and other integral maker’s features shown by the frame. Depending on the marque the ME may be able to date the machine very accurately from the number.
Table 1 Typical frame number locations for British bicycles
| Location and orientation | Marques with frame number at this location |
| On BB at 12 o’clock at N/S | GA, some Holdsworth Freddie Grubbs have a name oval here |
| On the BB at 6 o’clock, upright | Prewar and post war Rensch, Paris, Rotrax, Sun, Bates, Hill Special, AJ Hodge, Major Nichols, Freddie Grubb, Hetchins, Gillott from 1951, Sun, Bates, Frederick, EF Russ, Granby, Viking post 1961 |
| BB at 9 o’clock sometimes at base of Downtube | Ephgrave |
| BB on left | |
| BB on right | |
| On N/S rear drop out | Stallard, Baines,
Carlton, Saxon, Gillott prior to 1951, Carlton, Viking pre end 1960 |
| On O/S rear dropout | Hetchins |
| On saddle pin lugs | Legnano behind seat
pin; Pashley, Elswick, James, Royal Enfield, BSA Sunbeam, Raleigh, Dawes, FW Evans |
| On lower lug of head tube | Imperial Petrel, Sunbeam Road Racer model |
| On front of front fork crown, | Some Sunbeam Road Racers |
| On rear of front fork crown | EF Russ 1930’s |
| On base of front fork crown | Granby before 1940 |
| On front fork steerer tube | Nearly all makers |
In this first version of the table if the location on the BB has not been recorded then a central upright position and orientation at 6 o’clock has been assumed.
Table 2 Construction of frame number ® Indicates that a code usually a dating code is built into the number - see References or appropriate ME for further information
Size of frame number
| 0-100 | To 1000 | To 10000and up | ||
| None- just plain number | Jack Taylor to 1948 | Jack Taylor post 1948. Rensch preWW2, Granby preWW2, Baines preWW2, Higgins preWW2 to 800, Paragon pre WW2 to 518, Mal Rees®, Stephens to 1933 (0471 max), |
Baines to 1829 max BSA post WW2to51, Carpenter to 5752 max, Hill Special® to end 1950 and later with endcode, Higgins to 9999in 1964, Jack Taylor to 8800 max, Rensch post war, Paris to 8900 max, Sunbeam to ‘32, Raleigh to ‘25, Royal Enfield, RO Harrison®, Paragon post WW2 to 2289, Mal Rees®, Saxon, Stephens®, Viking , |
|
| Pre-fix? | Letters | Higgins post ’64 have A1 to A83 | BSA 1934 on have W,WA etc then post ‘51
A to E, Ephgrave(LE), Stallard post 1946, Carlton, Sun, Hill Special® , Major Nichols (MN)®, Ernie Clements, Selbach Timken bearing models have a T, Granby some taper tube frames have a TT, Maclean preWW2 A to W Maclean postWW2 K to KD, Viking some models S,H, AF, |
Stallard post 1946, Hetchins 1940 to 1962, Carlton, Sun, Sunbeam post1932, Raleigh to 1925 to 1937, Mercian®, Viking some models S,H, AF, |
| Numbers | ||||
| Suffix | Letters | Some post-WW2 Rensch have an R, | Matchless made Sunbeams 1939/40, Raleigh from 1947, | |
| Numbers | Many Paris - possess these to identify the framebuilder |
Table 3 Type of font of characters
| Font | Size of font | Marque | Unusual style, special named font? |
| Larger than 3.5mm | Most Rensch, Ernie Clements, Major Nichols | Ephgrave may be spidery and very close to downtube | |
| Smaller than 3.5mm | Most Paris | ||
| Other size |
References
Lightweight Cycle Catalogues
Volume 1 and Volume 2 JPMPF. Available from V-CC Publication Officer.
Volume 1: Bates; Carlton; Claud Butler; Ephgrave; Gillott; Hetchins; Hobbs of Barbicon; Holdsworth; Raleigh; Rensch and Paris; Rotrax; Stallard
Volume 2: Baines; Carpenter; Granby; Harrison; Higgins; Maclean; Mercian; Paragon; Mal Rees; Saxon; Stephens; Viking
Hill Special: www.hill-special.co.uk , or ME if a V-CC member.
BSA: Lightweight News No 13 Jan 2008 Available P Underwood c/o www.classiclightweights.co.uk
Dursley Pedersen: Dursley Pedersen Study Booklets. Available from ME if a V-CC member.