Bonjour a tous et a toutes.
I am still over in France picking up a few, but not too many, interesting bikes and frames..and looking at some extremely rare stuff owned by one of Ebay's French sellers.
I have today just dismantled a lady's bike that was spray-painted all over in red lead rust inhibitor...except for the places where the previous owner had lavished some gloss black. Judicious rubbing with very fine wet-and-dry paper has revealed that the frame was originally very light champagne with blue box-lining...but I haven't found any decals..and there has never been a head-badge.
The frame is clearly very class and beautifully built and stems from the 30s or 40s. I was led to believe that it is a Reyhand, but I am not too sure...it certainly has the excellent construction associated with Reyhand frames though..but I think it something else.
It has a quite interesting aluminium chainguard embossed with AS....possibly therefore Alex Singer ??? The bike was sold to me by a bourgeoise Parisienne woman cyclist who lived in an apartment not all that far away from Singer's shop.
Never having really scrutinised Singer machines before in the detail that I am going over this one, I am unacquainted with how Singer numbered his frames ..and whereabouts. Additionally...did Singer ever build women's frames in an entirely lugless style reminiscent of Reyhands ? For that matter where did Reyhand number his frames? I have two, possibly three, in the UK and none of them has a number.
All suggestions would be appreciated
Au revoir
Norris Lockley, Thauvenay-en-Sancerroise, France