I've picked up a nice old bike but can't figure out what it is. It's very finely made with half-chromed forks and stays and chromed head tube and headlugs. It has a clip-style headset and quick-release mudguard eyes a few inches up from the drop-outs. Normally, I'd say these were indicative of a pre-war or just post-war bike but the parts suggest a 1950-ish machine. The components that came with it include Blumfield Duralite hubs (1940s), Strata seatpost (post-war), Williams double-fluted chainset, Phillips pedals and GB Coureur brakes (1950).
The bike came from a guy in Farnborough in England and the question I had was if there were any lightweight framebuilders in that area around that time. Also, the two numbers on the frame are 71838 with 348 above it although the latter may be an enameller's number. Does anybody recognise these?
I'll do some pics later this week and would be happy to email them to anyone who might be able to help.
Bruce
Dundee
Scotland