There appears to be very little information about the early Rossin frames, making the identification of one of these frames extremely difficult.
The following bits of information have been gleaned from various Internet sites and also from an Italian [1950's on] bicycle historian.
We know that the company was started in September 1974, with premises in Cavenago, Brianza and it is thought that there were three guys employed by the company.
Rossin did not allocate serial numbers to his frames, except we believe for "Limited Edition" production runs and for these frames the serial number is stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket shell.
It is worth mentioning that the Columbus frame tube set weights, for the various Columbus tubes which are thought to have been used are :-
Record = 1.610 kg., SL = 1.925 kg. and possibly the later slightly heavier SLX tubes. Weights are believed to be for a 53 cm. frame.
A 53 cm. frame, measured centre to centre and with SL tubing has [quoted] a top tube and a seat tube 53 cm., a down tube 60 cm. and a head tube 125 mm overall length.
The early frames might have assembled with Prugnat type S lugs ?
It is alleged that the Rossin company had legal action taken against them by Rossignoli, apparently for plagiarism, during the early part of 1975 and in respect of the capital "R in a pentagon" used for the Rossin head badge. The style or font used in the Rossin decals might also have been challenged, but this is conjecture.
I have been told that Rossin was ordered to buy back all the frames sold by him up to this date.
Whether this is true, or whether he was instructed to apply a new style decal set to these frames, is not known, but I have been told that this was the case; he had to buy back the frames, which contractually seems a peculiar legal situation to me.
If he did buy back all the frames; did he then modify them in some way, perhaps re-painting them and applying new style decals; as far as I'm aware it is not known. If the decals were the varnish-fix variety, then that's not an easy and quick fix.
It is known that there were Generation 1 frames and also Generation 2 frames during this early period.
It might be the case that the returned frames were referred to as Generation 1 frames ?
It is often quoted that Rossin Record frames were built with SL tubes and weighing a bare frame will confirm that. The quoted frame angles being 74 and 74 degrees.
However, my own frame weighs 1.680 kg. and the angles are 73 and 75 degrees. It is also chromium plated and has brazed on gear cable guides on top of the bottom bracket shell, so this frame has been built with Columbus Record tubes.
Whether it is a Rossin Record frame or some other model I don't know, but I'd like to, because it also has 27 stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket shell.
I will talk about the braze-on rear brake cable guides and down tube bosses for the derailleur gear selectors, the bottom bracket shell types, gear cable guides and the early / later decal characteristics later if anyone is interested - and after anyone has commented or provided some genuine information ?