Identifying a Holdsworth frame [1939 Holdsworth La Variable]

[keithglos]

Re:

The lug set appears to have been quite common. Brampton made several designs of similar cast lugs, I checked Brown Brothers 1939 catalogue, but it does not show quite the same design.
Keith

 

[anidel]

Re:

Those lugs are tormenting me.
Can't find a single instance of them everywhere else.

They must have been made on a specific design.

Found frame number on left dropout (external side): 6075

Just a number

 

[keithglos]

Re:

Similar cast lugs were made by Sun, I think pre WW2.
Keith

 

[OldTel]

Re:

Hi, bits of help only I'm afraid, I had two post war bikes with that bottom bracket, so I would guess late 40's. After the war there was still plenty of pre war frame fittings, even in the Brown brothers catalogues of the late 40's, you could still buy fittings that look pre war. It is a lovely frame, I will keep my eye open, but there's bits of numerous styles in the lugs - Claud butler classique lugs, spearpoints similar to some pre war R O Harrison, but its not a R O, the twin plate fork is similar my late 40's Stokes of London ( same Bottom Bracket by the way ), so it could be a long journey, the position of serial number may help ( is the number on the forks ? ) - keep digging and good luck. Terry

 

[anidel]

Re:

I didn't remove the fork so not sure it's there too.
I'm digging as we speak as well

 

[anidel]

Re:

The frame number coincides with Holdsworth of 1946.
According to ClassicLightweight in 1046 they started from 6000 and some of them had it stamped on the dropouts. Also N Kilgariff confirms that the first ones has head clips.

Still not convinced it is a Holdsworth though

 

[anidel]

Re: Re:

Hi, bits of help only I'm afraid, I had two post war bikes with that bottom bracket, so I would guess late 40's. After the war there was still plenty of pre war frame fittings, even in the Brown brothers catalogues of the late 40's, you could still buy fittings that look pre war. It is a lovely frame, I will keep my eye open, but there's bits of numerous styles in the lugs - Claud butler classique lugs, spearpoints similar to some pre war R O Harrison, but its not a R O, the twin plate fork is similar my late 40's Stokes of London ( same Bottom Bracket by the way ), so it could be a long journey, the position of serial number may help ( is the number on the forks ? ) - keep digging and good luck. Terry

Btw, why you state it is not a R O Harrison one?
Because of the headtube lugs?

Everything else seems quite a match?

 

[OldTel]

Re:

Hi, I maybe wrong with my statement, but the frame as nice as it is, seems to lack the very top quality which generally RO Harrisons were, please don't take me wrong I would like the frame, it is a very nice example of the that era. My reasoning is the frame number which should be 5 or 6 digits I believe, and things like the top of the seat stays are a touch straightforward, I could be wrong, but I thought I would explain my logic. A thought that did cross my mind was a 'Evelyn Hamilton' who had a strong Claud connection at that time, worth a look. Terry

 

[anidel]

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

Indeed R O Harrison's serial number are between 6-7 digitd .
And yeah never found a model like mine, was just curious of your reasoning.

Will check Evelyn Hamilton frames.

Elsegood also could be a shot.

 

[anidel]

Re: Help identifying a Holdsworth frame

Update. Joined VCC and spoke with Roger Armstrong, the Holdsworth Marque Enthusiast.

He confirms it is a Holdsworth, a rare La Variable, possibly from 1939. Serial number is 6015.
Will start a build project for this soon