Further to the correspondence regarding lugless Hobbs. Their lugless models were the Criterium, Sportsweight, Blenheim, Blue Hills, Windermere and Ambleside. I always thought that the Blue Ribband was first introduced as a tricycle in 1949. They had the lugs specially cut to stiffen up a trike frame they were building for a record breaking attempt. They then used this lug pattern on their USWB track tandems and finally made a solo with the same lug style from 1950 onwards. I have one of their Blue Ribband tandem trikes and the previous owner told me this regarding the Blue Ribband range.
Michael Butler Huntingdon UK.
>From: "Doug Smith" <doug@kingsweir.plus.com>
>To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR]Hobbs or not a Hobbs
>Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 21:19:28 +0100
>
>Duncan wrote , I quote.
>This does not look like a Blue Riband to me. Never seen a filet brazed
>Blue Riband.
>
>In reply to Duncan's comments I consider he is correct in stating this
>is not a Blue Riband . It is appears to to be a genuine Hobbs as the
>frame lettering/numbering is correct for the late 1940's as advertised.
>
>After studying my own lugless machine and making comparisons with the
>pictures on the one for sale I would be almost sure this is a Hobbs
>"Sportsweight" . As far as I know this was the only brazed frame model
>made by this builder.
>
>So ,yes a genuine Hobbs but not a Blue Riband in my opinion!
>
>Doug Smith
>North Dorset
>UK