Originally Posted by
pottyguy
. . .
Some mysteries remain, though. My understanding from a ton of Googling is that Raleigh bike frames can often be dated by the location and format of the serial numbers. However, the seat lug on this bike has not one but two serial numbers stamped on it. One is prominently stamped on the side (19525AH), the other more faintly stamped across the top (3351756). Why would the same piece have been stamped twice? There's a label near the bottom bracket that says Made in Republic of Ireland. Does that make a difference?
Finally, I've also read that some Brooks B72 saddles can be dated by markings underneath. This one has only one prominent X on the right side.
Hello pottyguy and welcome to the forum.
The two serial numbers: Over the years of collecting Raleigh serial numbers I have seen several Raleigh manufactured bicycles with two serial numbers. Most if not all of these bicycles are from the time between 1960 (when Raleigh Industries was purchased by Tube Investments) and 1973-74 when Raleigh changed most of the serial numbering to a more uniform system.
Here is another Robin Hood with the same two types of serial numbers as your (edit Humber. not Rudge) :
Robin Hood from ketchupbikes
The Brooks B72: Generally Brooks saddles have a three character code stamped into the leather. Sometimes there is a code stamped into the metal frame
Photograph is from ebay.
This B72 frame is stamped A 73.