Hi all. Yesterday I picked up what's bound to be my 'crown jewel' of my small bike collection. It's a dl1 with no rust an top-tube sturmey archer, aw hub that has no date but a 'patent application pending' stamping

Serial number says ag 12485 which doesn't seem to fit any of the info I've found so far. Does anyone know what time period the 'ag' would come from? This is stamped right below the seat on the frame. Thanks!





post first wash/wax...

Isn't this fun!!! What a decent find. I had a lady's Touriste, from 1977, once and I really liked that bicycle. Sadly, depending on who tells the story, the bicycle now lives in Alaska.



As for helping to define vintage, I can't be of much help. It must be quite a bit older than the one I had, considering the tranny.

Woah, that's spectacular. Congratulations!

No date on the hub, not even a single digit? My oldest AW is dated 0 (presumably 1940), so I guess yours is earlier. How's that for helpful?

Thanks all! I thought it was all original with exception to the seat - now I realize even the seat (an ancient Terry) is probably even original

Rear brakes aren't chrome nor is the rod that runs down downtube- I assume that's because of some sort of pre- war chrome shortage I read about?

Great find! I think the top tube shifters pre-date 1938, could be wrong. Nickle was often used for plating. If it was a war-time bike, wouldn't everything be painted?

Just did a little research. Aw hub introduced in '36, top tube shifter ended in '38. So I guess I've narrowed it to '36-38? Does that logic work?

Few more bad shots I grabbed last night

I tend to agree with the date, but not with the logic. Assuming they stopped making the top tube shifters in '38, they would presumably have kept using them until the supply ran out. I'm pretty sure I've seen them on bikes dating well into the 40's.

Sorry I can't be of any dating help, but wow! What a great find. You'd better post pictures when it's all cleaned up.

very nice find! i agree, the hub most likely dates to c.1936. the black-out pieces on your bike would be consistent with this date. these are wonderful riding bikes. here's my 1951, with some period incorrect pieces (pedals, handlebar grips, shifter, saddle, headlight).

reliable and comfortable enough to be a daily rider, although the rod brakes are the weakest link... barely functional when wet.

Hey southpaw I'm in Somerville as well!

I agree that the AW hub, quadrant shifter, and saddle make it a '36. Here's its caliper-brake cousin, a '37 Sports Tourist (hub is marked AW-7). I've cleaned it up a bit since these photos:



Neal

PMed you... we should meet up.

So I have no dyno hub but I do have a small rear light as seen in the pics. Was a dyno hub used this early? I'm pretty sure this bike hasn't been messed with at all and is completely original

Yes, Dynohubs were an option then. Here's the '36 UK Raleigh catalog page for the Tourist. Does yours have 28" wheels? If 26", it's a Dawn Tourist (shown below):





Neal

Yeah mine's 28" wheels. I have a Dawn Tourist as well but I think I'm putting that up for sale

Adding a few more pictures

Okay I do see maybe a number - is this a zero or a 'Q' though?

Four posts to get me to 50 so I can send a pm

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2......

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I'm pretty sure the "0" on my "0" hub doesn't look like yours. Different location, different shape if I recall correctly. I don't have a photo, though. I'd call it a Q; I don't think it's a date.

congratulations, Jason--that is a gorgeous bike! I saw it on CL this morning and actually almost emailed you, Southpaw, to see if you might be interested--I'd love to have bought it myself but the men's Tourists are way too big for me.

Doesn't Velouria have a bike with the "patent applied for" hub? '36? And what's the timer-like thing on the top tube? It does seem to have some interesting doo-dads on it. Not to mention it looks like it's in amazing shape--that pinstriping...wow.