They are a simple sequential number - LE 1899 dates from 1952/3 but this a an excellent example of where joining the Veteran-Cycle Club can be extremely helpful. Peter Holland, the Veteran-Cycle Club's Marque Enthusiast will probably be able to be more precise and has amassed large amounts of info on the marque.
Hilary Stone, Bristol, England
Bruce wrote:
> Can any Ephgrave owners give me a hand dating a frame. It has no transfers or
> headbadge on it but I've been told it's an Ephgrave and it has the characters
> LE 1899 under the bottom bracket. I'm pretty sure Les Ephgrave wasn't building
> lightweights in the year before the 20th century so how do you interpret that
> number. The frame is very similar to this one on Dale's site:
> http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
> but without the downtube shifter braze-ons and with normal pump pegs. As ever,
> any help would be greatly appreciated.