Sam that's right. The number after the year is the month. When you get the paint off normally on the underside of the chainstay there will be a mark. Can be a punch mark etc. This is the individual frame builders mark put there to work out their piece rate earnings before sending to the paint shop. The old timers I first started cycling with in the 60's new all the marks, Ephgrave, Dean, Stratton, Philbrook etc. Somewhere I have a copy of the 49 catalogue and the 55. Give me a reminder in about two weeks and I will send you some scans. Will have plenty of time then to find them. Was this frame handpainted bright red with a bare metal head badge no transfers and some chrome showing through the paint?
Best wishes and be lucky. Michael Butler Huntingdon UK.
>From: "sam Lingo" <samclingo@hotmail.com>
>To: pariscyclesuk@hotmail.com
>Subject: RE: [CR]Claud Butler models?
>Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 01:01:51 +0000