Everyone likes a mystery don't they ?

More clues...

And even more clues... cyclotoine will be happy.

It does seem French

Have you checked the BB thread?

Have not done a thing except measure the seatpost which is 27.2

The headbadge is gone and think the frame was originally painted over chrome as you can see the file marks everywhere.

The placement of the rear reflector mount made me think it was British... will be checking the bottom bracket after I take a nap.

Whatever it is, I like it.

The Gran Sport derailleurs are the later model... 1953.

Wow, whatever it is it's absolutely gorgeous, any clues from the previous owner?

I know exactly what it is: a fine bicycle!

I have an uncanny desire to start knitting.

After looking the chrome over carefully it is not a Sunbeam T-20 Toaster after all, they did not come in that frame size even in 4 slice variants.

-Bandera

If the threading on the bb is English, the location of the serial is consistent with Saxon, Baines, Carlton and Viking, for example. https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...numbering.html

Looks carlton to me. I know nothing though.

Somebody stole the wheels right off of those hubs...

Nice Nervex lugs...me likey.

It had some nondescript tubulars... the wheels were trashed pretty badly.

I have some new tubular rims to lace up to those hubs.

Sixty Fiver-

Possibly a high end Carlton based on the badge mounting hole position on the head tube and the paint over chrome finish which used to be a Carlton distinctive. Is there a serial number on the bottom bracket?

Love those old-world file marks!

I do not know who the previous owner was... it was a random donation to the bicycle co-op. I will be doing the restoration for them and then it will get sold... it is a 22.5 / 56 cm frame.

Have not pulled the bottom bracket but 34.7 mm tells me that it is either British or French... I have to find my Stronglight puller.

The drilling for the headbadge would be consistent with Carlton badges as well.

It has been hanging in my rafters for ages and after another member asked for a drive side shot I thought I would take it down and share all these pictures so we could play, "name that bike".

Cranks appears to have a 57SC outer chainwheel so that pushes the dating up unless that chainwheel was a replacement... the bike is a bit of a time capsule of what was good and right in the 1950's.

What is nice that the bike appears to have been stored well and nothing is seized... maybe I will find some makers marks on the head tube.

What else do a bunch of old curmudgeons have to do on a Friday night anyways ?

Looks a bit like this Wolhauser with a frame built by Giuseppe Pelà.

But there's that eyelet on the right seatstay.

What's the headset ?

and just how didst that Arregui pump cup find its way on there?!?!

Braze on & clamped cable stop on the chain stay? Really looks british.

57sc cranks had a forged spider together with the arm, so I think that's a complete 49d crankset fwiw.

I agree it seems English, and with much of the file marks previously covered by paint.

As for the rear derailer, I have an old Gran Sport mech that also has the hex cable adjuster and a 7mm spring cover cap. I'm also wondering what year that is from.

That looks like a very nice bike!

The crankset is a 1950ish Stronglight 49D with Stronglight LV rings. It should say LV on the back of each ring along with the number of teeth.

The headset looks like a Specialites TA or a very similar looking one.