I have finally got reconnected to the internet. Since I have been away is seems to be open season on Mick Butler. I thought my previus postings covered this subject sufficently and more to the point quoted the important historical facts from the Cycling press.
Harry Rensch was the first with the mixture of welding and brazing which Claud butler later copied and coined the phrase "Bi-Laminated".
Harry produced frames using this method prior to 1939 and used this method of construction on the pre-war prototypes of the "Galibier" and "Tour de france" Models. He was selling frames with this method of construction in late 1938.
Hilary is correct in saying that the "Avant Coureur" was the first bi-laminated Butler in 48. As with so many things with Claud Butler's all of this innovations came about due to the brillance of Stuart Purvis.
Claud Butlers first welded frame was produced in late 1937 and was displayed at his various shops during this period complete with his then nw style of rear drop-out.. This model was the forerunner of the Massed Start model which was introduced at the 1938 Earls Court cyling show.
Harry Rensch was making lugless frames from the start 1935/36 and they are listed and illustrated in most of his pre-war catalogues.
Required reading "The Bicycle" November 17th. 1948 article by Johnnie Dennis "The Welded Alloy Frame" the novelty paragraph which deals with the introduction of welded frames to Great Britain.
I honestly thought I had dealt with this subject accurately. Firstly I am no self proclaimed expert just an ordinary cyclists who has been cycling every day for more years than I can care to remember. Because of my involvement with cycling you meet lots of interesting people who are far more knowledgeable and who share their experiences Bill Grey, George Stratton, Jack Jones, Ken Bird and Titch Morris are just a few I have had long conversations with regarding makers and framebuilders etc.
Finally to be perfectly honest most of those words I wrote where lifted word for word from old catalogues and the British cycling press. So you were really having a pop at Johnnie Dennis, Harry Rensch, F.J.Camm, H.H.England, George Pearson.
Mick Butler Huntingdon Great Britain