Hello Peter,
My 1950 Merlin L'Internationale, which came with its original receipt, was numbered 700120. Your frame looks distinctly 1930's in style, though it could, of course, be later. I don't know the significance of the numbering sequence vis-avis date of manufacture.
Neil Foddering Weymouth, England
>From: Peter Naiman <hetchinspete1@yahoo.com>
>To: classicrendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR]Help dating an early Merlin frame
>Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:26:26 -0800 (PST)
>
>I've got an early Merlin frame that was just purchased from the UK and
>wondered if anyone can help with dating. It was sold to me as a 1947 or 48.
>Serial number is 118410. I've posted quite a few jpgs to the Wool Jersey
>Gallery.
> URL is below:
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
>
> Peter Naiman
> Glendale, WI