On 21 Dec 2005, at 13:51, Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote:
So, when all three were available was 531 the most expensive, followed by HM, then "A" grade?
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As far as price goes, in 1952 '531' was twice as dear to buy as 'A Quality'
Brown Brothers listed the price for a 3 Main Tubes set as ;
'A' Best Quality (plain 20g) 8/2 (8s 2d) 531 Super Steel (butted 21/24g & 20/23g) 16/6 (16s 6d) High Manganese (butted 20/24g) 17/- (17s)
The price differences seem slightly odd - at least with 'A' vs '531' the cost difference is mostly in Butted vs Plain gauge, but H.M. is shown as marginally dearer. There could of course be a timing difference here. In 51', "531" was hot and very sought after, but I'd venture by then H.M. was on it's way out as it was no longer the material of choice by the lightweight builders.
Having found a few other adverts - for example by F.H.Grubb who used 'A Quality' at one time, it seems that prior to 1924 when H.M. appeared, 'A Quality' was the tube to use. After 1924 H.M. takes the top slot and a drops one down. Then in 1935, with the advent of '531' H.M. drops to second place and 'A Quality' to third. Considering that all three were available as double-butted at some time during their lives, it would seem like all were once the "top tube" to have.
Now all I've got to do is find out where the 'A Quality' and 'B Quality' names came from. 'A Quality' wasn't unique to Reynolds it would appear, as Accles & Pollock also sold 'A Quality' tubes. Perhaps and maybe this could be easily verified, Reynolds dropped the other designations when they started the solely numbers game - i.e. Reynolds 501. Anyone like to comment ?
Bob Reid Stonehaven Scotland
http://www.flying-scot.co.uk (mapped)