Old Carlton: Dropout/Wheel Size confusion.

[Nob]

Sounds like someone tried to insert a MTB wheel into the rear……

 

[Frankenorange]

Where do you live? Maybe there is a fellow RBer nearby who could pop over and look at it. All sounds rather odd to me as the frame builder should know about the different dropout spacings and the frame clearly isnt a frame that takes a boost rear hub!