Forgot to mention in my previous email that the ME had not been able to correlate many serial numbers in this range with dates. However, 1112 FS was purported to be 1951, although 1375 FS was supposed to be 1950! 1112 FS had a 1952 dated SA hub which tends to support the 1951 build date. My frame, on the other hand, numbered 1108 FS, has an alloy Reynolds seat pin dated November 1953, although this could have been fitted later in its life.
I'm wondering if Raleigh made a number of framesets for stock, numbered them in a separate range, and pulled them out of store as required (and they would probably have grabbed whichever came to hand, rather than worry about where they were in the serial range) possibly selling some as complete machines if demand exceeded production capacity for complete machines; but this is pure speculation.
Neil Foddering Weymouth, Dorset, England
>From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
>To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR]Dating a Raleigh RRA
>Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:51:06 -0400
>
>Why not? English girls are great. I married one.
>
>But as to the date of your RRA, she's c. 1948-54. That serial number is
>a headscratcher. And no, RRAs of this era had the same serial number
>sequencing as anyother Raleigh. At least those that I own or have seen
>have. But never say never with Raleigh.
>
>This is obviously a repaint and possibly even a factory one given the
>style of transfers (not the lovely ornate original style) and that candy
>apple red. Through the 1950s Raleigh price lists included RRA
>refinishing and whilst you had your choice of colours, all of the ones
>I've seen seem invariably to be black or this colour. Which is NOT the
>famous Reg Harris carmine either.
>
>Anyway, good luck with getting her kitted out. A lovely, lovely machine
>that with an AC or FC Sturmey-Archer hub can still hold her own.
>
>Peter Kohler
>Washington DC USA