Claud Butler frame numbers only appear in my experience on the bottom bracket and steerer. 1950 and onwards numbers are definitely divided into essentially two parts - month of production and year expressed like 50 6 or 53 10 and a serial number. The serial number can be between two and four digits long. The numbering system pre and post war otherwise generally has similar characteristics but is not exactly the same for example 1949 start with a 9 but whether a month is built into the rest of the number I do not know. If there is no number on the BB the next step is undoubtedly to check the steerer. But frames definitely got through from CB without a frame number on occasion - I had a delightful Claud Supreme tourer from around 1938 15 years ago but that did not have a number anywhere. These may have been backdoor specials, replacement under warranty or one of a number of other explanations - you come across similar anomalies with most small builders. If Chuck would like to send me pics of the bilaminations (and perhaps the rear fork ends too) I think I will be say whether it is a Claud or not.
Hilary Stone, Bristol, England
> From: DTSHIFTER@aol.com
> Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 11:19:55 EDT
> To: jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Claud Butler serial #'s
>
>
> In a message dated 8/30/04 11:07:17 AM, jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net writes:
>
> << I do not find it on the BB shell or the rear dropouts. Someone suggested
> that ot might be on the steerer, but before I pull the headset, can anyone
> suggest an alternate location? It would seem odd the put it in the steerer
> only,
> since that would only identify the fork. How many digits are in a CB number?
>>>
>
> Jerry,
>
> The CB's I have seen (still own one) from the 50's had the serial number on
> the BB shell and on the steerer. Serial numbers were six digits (three digits
> each separated by a space: XXX XXX), but I certainly have not seen enough to
> form a significant sample!
>
> Regards,
>
> Chuck Brooks
> Malta, NY