Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,811
Likes: 596
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
That style of handlebar --it is upside down on yours-- is called a Lauterwasser bar; or is something similar to a Lauterwasser; and as Joe says it's characteristic of the 30's. The shifter mounted to the top tube is called a quadrant shifter and is also characteristic of the 30's (though they were put on new bikes until supplies ran out sometime in the 40's). It really looks pretty good to me; overhaul it, put a decent narrow leather saddle on it and maybe some white plastic fenders, and you should have a real classic.
There should be some interesting markings on the rear hub; Sturmey Archer, AW-8 or something like that... go easy on it! I'm looking forward to more photos.