Old Claud Butler Identification

[Bol]

Hi,

Inherited an old CB from my Dad (see pics). It was originally a time trial frame (no lug for gear shift cable hence the cable clip to clamp the gear cable sleeve in position).

The hub tube has numbers 533 2334 stamped on the underside. It’s an Olympic (see plate and decals).

I have replaced tyres and re-taped the handle bars, and intend to use it when nostalgic!

Can anyone please try and identify its age and paint colour name.

Thanks guys Bol

 

[juvela]

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thanks very much for sharing this excellent example with the forum!

in case you have not found it already there is a wonderful archive of Claud Butler information here -

https://nkilgariff.com/


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[Bol]

Hi,

Inherited an old CB from my Dad (see pics). It was originally a time trial frame (no lug for gear shift cable hence the cable clip to clamp the gear cable sleeve in position).

The hub tube has numbers 533 2334 stamped on the underside. It’s an Olympic (see plate and decals).

I have replaced tyres and re-taped the handle bars, and intend to use it when nostalgic!

Can anyone please try and identify its age and paint colour name.

Thanks guys Bol

Jubilant,
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction - I will check it out.
Cheers Bol

 

[Coalfield]

Pulled from the above link =

"1950-57 Digits in Two Groups, 3/4 and 4. (Exception 1940 & 1958"
"Claud Butler Typical Number Format Reverses During 52/53. Either Format Occasionally Seen in all Years"

The serial numbers on the chart do not correspond exactly to yours. Double check the serial - otherwise I guess the year between 1950 - 1953.

 

[Bol]

Pulled from the above link =

"1950-57 Digits in Two Groups, 3/4 and 4. (Exception 1940 & 1958"
"Claud Butler Typical Number Format Reverses During 52/53. Either Format Occasionally Seen in all Years"

The serial numbers on the chart do not correspond exactly to yours. Double check the serial - otherwise I guess the year between 1950 - 1953.

 

[Bol]

Hi Coalfield, thanks for your information.

Have studied the source information suggested by yourself and Juvenal - this being Norman kilgariff’s CB excel database and the CB yearly sales catalogs.

I believe I have a reversed serial number/date stamp as suggested common within the 52/53 years. My frame is 553/2334 suggesting March 1953 - number 2334 produced. I conclude this for two reasons. Firstly, you cannot make a year/month out of 2334. Secondly, from the data base I see consecutively listed frames 1733-533 and 2437-534 (non reversed examples). My frame numbers shown the same way round as 2334-553 fit perfectly between the two above in terms of production date and sequence:-

1734-533 (March 1953)
2334-553 (March 1953 my frame)
2437-534 (April 1953)


My frame was originally a single geared model. Using the 1953 catalog I am trying to identify the exact model.
Having pump lugs on the frame narrows it down to exclude the “Road and Track” and “Sprint” models. The “Flame/Crackle paint finish which mine has, being a request at ordering on all other possible models.

I notice my frame is fabricated without lugs and has the “forward serrated” ends (all be it with full mudguard eyes!).
I will continue my research and let you know if I pin it down to an exact model.

Thanks again guys for your help and guidance.

Bol