Hello,
Thank you for all your comments and information.
I have done a lot of "rooting around" on here and on the 'net and the acquisition of Cinelli by Columbus in the 1970's is stated elsewhere. Gilco Design certainly were active in the design etc. of many products; whether they were a subsidiary company or were loosely connected to Columbus, I don't know.
They were obviously involved with Columbus tubing as the decals for Columbus MS proclaim, but whether they had any hand in the fluting / crimping etc. of Columbus tubing I can't verify.
On here and elsewhere there are examples, with photographs of fluted frames apparently similar if not identical, to the frame that I have bought in Italy.
Incidentally, the frame which was shipped this past Monday with UPS is of today's date, still in Germany !
FedEx normally ship from Italy to the UK in three days and the Italian postal service in five days.
As I understood from the seller, this frame was made with SL tubing for the professional rider's own use, not for a team. It would be highly unlikely that a team would allow a rider to sell one of their frames, in my opinion.
There are on this bicycle's frame, remnants of decals which from the ebay photographs, I can't identify and it won't be for several days now before I actually take delivery.
If some kind person was able to put the ebay photographs in the meantime on here for me, then please email me :-- oldlampman@oldlampman.karoo.co.uk and I will send them to him / her.
I'm keeping an open mind on this frame, it has a Cinelli fork and therefore the Columbus impress mark will be, or should be, at the base of the steerer tube. The Columbus impress mark is usually also found at the bottom end front of the seat tube but I wont be searching for that under paintwork.
I will weigh the frame and check the angles to see if it is a SL tubed frame.
Your interest is greatly appreciated.
Why I have to copy this and log-in / "Post Quick Reply" again really annoys me [You do not have permission etc] !