Era-ing A Brooks Professional
 

Since, according to what I've found on the Intertubez, dating a Brooks saddle is basically impossible if it doesn't have a date code, and sometimes if it does. The one I just bought (from the Big Homies at The Towne Cycles in Oakland) hath not date stamp on its frame. Hence the title of the thread... I'd like to know approximately from what era it hails.

Here's close-ups of the bits that I thought might help:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...73c69330ae.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a07878bd00.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6e14e27b9.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1bd744e907.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fcbe731434.jpg

If anybody's got anything to teach, I'd be stoked to learn it.

--Shannon

As you may know, that's a later tag but I don't know from when.

Seems like those #'s should mean something. :twitchy:

Based on the design, I would say it was made sometime between 1898 and last week. Sorry, I don't have anything useful to add, but I'm also interested in learning from those who do.

I was under the impression that this indicated that the year of manufacture was 2013.
The "M" indicates the month or fortnight or something like that.

The second question: who was storing this saddle in a salt bath? That's a bad case of rust!

Steve in Peoria

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...741446f812.jpg

While not a Professional, this B17 I bought new in January this year shows it's date code as "2H4" which makes sense that it was made in 2024. I'd agree with the 2013 date mentioned by steelbikeguy above.

I thought it'd been a lot longer than 12, or even 22, years since Brooks made a "just a Professional, not a Team Pro" saddle with small rivets, no carving or skiving, and a chromed steel frame?

If that's true, then the age and condition would be a much better match, and indicative more of neglect than abuse. Which is being borne out by the saddle's response to my mono-buttocked resuscitation efforts. About which a post will be forthcoming soon.

--Shannon

Would the lack of bag loops provide a clue?

I hadn't really noticed the small rivets until you mentioned it, and that does surprise me. ..not that I keep track of what flavors Brooks is selling lately, though.
My own mid 70's Brooks Pro with small rivets looks like this...

https://www.flickr.com/photo_downloa...ret=4005801652

https://www.flickr.com/photo_downloa...ret=4d5ae471de

One distinctive feature is how they marked the date code back then. It was stamped into the cantle plate. In this case, "B73".
https://www.flickr.com/photo_downloa...ret=599c8f9cd5

One thing about your poor crusty Brooks that caught my eye is the condition of the rivets. At a glance, it looks like they are rusty. Is that true?
My B.17's have copper plated steel rivets. I'm wondering whether your saddle has these too. That would be an unusual detail

Steve in Peoria

steelbikeguy they went to a nickel plated rivet some time ago. I have a B17 that was new in 2016 ( came on a bike I bought) and it has these rivets , although mine are still shiny. Nice Raleigh , by the way!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2812564e4.jpeg
I noticed that as well when I got it. I still like the copper ones from the earlier saddles . My friend bought a Team Professional a few years ago that still came with the large hammered copper rivets. He said when he ordered it that the standard Professional was not available on the web site.

I have a Team plProfessional with the oversized rivet head. The saddle is much lighter thsn the chrome steel railed versions that ai also have on my bikes. The rails are non-magnetic and finished in a fsatin black finisk, so I assume they are Titanium. What I found a bit strange is, the csntle has bag loops on it that I don't really expect on a "Tem" Pro saddle. Was this an oversight by Brooks? I am also curious what years was such version of the saddle issued by Brooks.

I have a Team plProfessional with the oversized rivet head. The saddle is much lighter thsn the chrome steel railed versions that ai also have on my bikes. The rails are non-magnetic and finished in a fsatin black finisk, so I assume they are Titanium. What I found a bit strange is, the csntle has bag loops on it that I don't really expect on a "Tem" Pro saddle. Was this an oversight by Brooks? I am also curious what years was such version of the saddle issued by Brooks.

just in case it helps at all, let me offer a photo of the rails, etc. of my titanium Swift...

https://www.flickr.com/photo_downloa...ret=d999456104

It's definitely lighter than my Pro's, but the Swift also benefits from having less skirt material. My spare Swift measures 378 grams on the kitchen scale...


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ad4fc03ead.jpg

Steve in Peoria (where I feel fortunate to have a spare Swift!)