A Viking or not a Viking?

[chickendrumsticks]

I think it's definitely an early frame, assuming it is a Viking, not one of the NI jobbies.

 

[sjcprojects]

I keep going back and forth in age with this, but looking at this (apparently) 1954 frame:



it does share the most features - no bottle cage bosses, same cable guides including the same style on the chainstay - and also no pump pegs or shifter bosses, which later ones tended to have. It would be exciting if it was from the 50s, as that would make it the oldest frame I own.

 

[juvela]

Yes, confusingly, that is true. But the vertical spacing between the two is exactly right.

Also, with the frame number I wonder if it's a very faint letter 'L' before the numbers, which could make it one of the frames built in NI when Viking changed ownership, so after 1967. That makes more sense. I think...maybe...

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I also thought might be seeing a character there off to the left of the numerals.

Your eyes the ones on the scene.

Reassuring to think was not hallucinating.


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[bikeworkshop]

Looks like it's one of the rare
"Mirror Vikings"
Incredibly valuable

I just looked back at your head tube pic and it appears the slight offset is opposite that on the badge...?

 

[sjcprojects]

Looks like it's one of the rare
"Mirror Vikings"
Incredibly valuable

It’s got to be worth at least £3K!

 

[sjcprojects]

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I also thought might be seeing a character there off to the left of the numerals.

Your eyes the ones on the scene.

Reassuring to think was not hallucinating.

I’ll remove a bit more paint and take another look. Not that it will necessarily prove anything one way or another, mind you…

 

[chickendrumsticks]

View attachment 961638
Looks like it's one of the rare
"Mirror Vikings"
Incredibly valuable

Reverso Pic.