I have an all original '52 Rudge (based on hub date) which has chrome, no black, and the brazed on pulley mount. It probably won't help you, but the serial number on mine is 317860 R. I believe Raleigh acquired Rudge in 1943. One source for Raleigh serial numbers indicates AJ as being used in 1948. Vintage 1962 Rudge Bicycle, 3 spd Sturmey Archer, Brooks Saddle, rack, Org.Paint. $202.35 shipping. Rudge-Whitworth Vintage Bicycle Road Bike Rudge Royal Made England Britain UK. Vintage 1962 Rudge Bicycle, 3.
This Rudge bicyclette model H has a rare double tube frame. The bike is incredibly heavy, in fact it makes me think of a light motorcycle! The model is not unique for Rudge; we know of some French factories that built the same frame; these might be copies of the original Rudge design. This bike has socket steering (without balls). Rudge also made a version with pivot steering.
This bicycle with serial number 79069 was built in 1891-1892. It has a lot of nice details and was very well restored by Maarten Waarlé, who also made the pictures. Note that the mudguards are original, even the strange 'wave' near the front fork. Look at the illustration from the catalogue! Only detail that is not correct is the new leather on the saddle.
I asked Maarten why the step was mounted on the right side, when all other safeties have it left side. He told me there was no other possibility: the axle was long at the right side and too short on the left side...
I really love this bicycle, it is the safety in its best form. Not very practical, but experimental in a lot of details. It's like an evolution, leading to the modern bicycle in only ten years time.
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I’m the guardian of this 1938 Rudge-Whitworth 3-speed (serial number A592537). It ended up in my possession when a friend decided he had no more room for bikes in his garage. He got the Rudge from a friend of his who said he’d want it back someday. So, I’m the keeper of the bike, until that day comes (I’m hoping it doesn’t come anytime soon).
Antique Rudge Bicycles
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British Beauty
From a distance, this might look like any old British 3-speed, but in my experience it’s rare to find one in such splendid original condition. And, this bike has interesting details such as the peaked fenders, drop handlebars, box pinstriping, rear rack (held on with wingnuts for rapid removal), quick-release front wheel and early Sturmey-Archer hub with toptube-mounted trigger.
Hand Built (?)
Perhaps my favorite detail is what I always thought was Rudge’s “hand built” logo. Look at the crank and decal (below) and you’ll see the hand icon, what I took to be a symbol of Rudge’s pride in craftsmanship. It also appears on the nameplate. Bob in North Wales, however, was kind enough to write and explain that
the origin of the hand was the Red Hand of Ulster. This symbol was often adopted by families with a Northern Irish origin. For example, the area where I live used to be largely owned by the Myddletons of Chirk Castle that have this symbol as part of their arms. I know of four pubs in the area called The Hand Hotel that have this symbol on the pub sign (in the villages of Chirk, Llangollen, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog and Llanrhaedr ym Mochnant.)
Another decal I really like is the original shop decal that was put on by the shop that first sold the bike. It reads Barr’s Cycle Agents & Repairs, Glasgow, Scotland.
Phil Haywood of the Rudge Enthusiasts Club was kind enough to let me know that
your frame number is shown in the Rudge Register as 1938. Must have been one of the last with a Coventry badge, but I suspect it was assembled and shipped from the EMI factory in Hayes in Middlesex.
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