Classic & Vintage - Can anyone help date this Dayton Elite

I have a Dayton Elite, which I did up when I was at uni 1980's. The frame is double butted 531, and the forks are also 531. It was originally designed for 26" wheels not 27". I have found some people on the web with Dayton Elites but there are a few differences which I think may help date it.

I am certain of the make, model and frame material because when I started all the original transfers were present, it was the DB531 frame forks and stays transfer that made me think about doing it up. When the frame was stripped the tubes actually had some manufacturers detail' I cant remember exactly' but it confirmed Reynolds 531.

The frame had a distinctive Dayton transfer on the seat tube with a micrometer forming a D for Dayton. and the badge on the head says Daton Cycle Co London, same as all the others I have seen, BUT
on all the others the centre of the badge is again this Micrometer D, mine has what appers to be crossed swords and a rifle.

Also looking at the photos I have just taken the rear dropouts are an unusual design with a noticeable 'spur' sticking down.

Hopefully the attached photo may assist. Any information greatly appreciated
I have asked on another forum but I would like as much assistanceas possible

253122

If it's Reynolds 531, all I can offer is that it's post 1935.

Did it come with any additional components? These are helpful in identifying time frames.
Additional pics might help too- (eg., bottom bracket, seat cluster, head lugs.)

Hi Auchen,

The frame used to hang on the wall of my dads old garage, as a frame with just the forks and a bottom bracket present. very little else.
I have another picture, sadly not too good but as you will see the lugs are pretty basic, but the rear dropout design is the one that I have never seen on a bike elsewhere.
The head bearings were replaced when I did it up because the old ones were badly pitted.
I suppose when I started it looked vaguely similar to this except it was in a timber garage not a concrete one.
Chris
253153

Chris - This is a huge stretch based on that crummy snapshot, but if that horrid, huge, rear reflector is original, and the Reynolds label has the (looks like) TI industries gold bar beneath it, then the bike would probably be mid-seventies.


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Bike%20Forums/Bike%20Forums%202/horrid.jpg

Chris - This is a huge stretch based on that crummy snapshot, but if that horrid, huge, rear reflector is original, and the Reynolds label has the (looks like) TI industries gold bar beneath it, then the bike would probably be mid-seventies.


http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Bike%20Forums/Bike%20Forums%202/horrid.jpg
Guess I should have put a few other bits of information with it, the brakes, reflector gearchangers are all later additions when I did it up in the early 80's, the reynolds decal does as you say have a TI gold bar underneath, it is actually one they supplied for resprays, and somewhere on it has the word respray, which I seem to remember getting from TI, but can't remember what details I had to supply.
I seem to recall the original was similar to this link http://www.ece.ubc.ca/~gillies/reynolds/uncategorized/Reynolds531SeatTubeOldAqua.jpg.

I suppose what interests me is the unusual dropout design which may give a clue to the age.
Chris