Thanks, Michael

I have two AW hubs from 1969 that appear to be from the 13th and 14th month. I raised this in the VCC magazine a couple of years ago and members had seen hubs from that year stamped as high as 17. One respondent from Canada stated that in 1969 Sturmey Archer switched from a monthly batch numbering system to a weekly one, explaining the higher numbers. As nothing higher than 17 was reported it seems that they then abandoned this approach in the summer. I've seen a bike forum thread for mystery undated 1970s AW hubs. I'm wondering, if all the above is true, then maybe for the rest of that year they left the hub shells undated rather than reuse numbers that they'd already deployed in February and March. I've never come across one of these undated hubs and was wondering if you had. They would be fairly numerous if for the second half of 1969 none were stamped. I have seen earlier hubs where the date stamp is very faint so maybe the numbers were there but hard to see. There weren't any photos of the hubs in question.

I'm intrigued by the undated 1950s hubs that you mention. I'll look out for one for my collection.

Regards, Robin

Thanks again,
Howard

My guess is that the rear hub (or wheel) has been changed possibly during the Second World War. If it is clearly marked 'AW' then it is certainly not original to an early 1930s machine.

The AW hubs were not marked with a date stamp during 1941 and 1942. To complicate things I have seen undated hubs from the 1950s but these have a silver ball cup. Ball cups can of course be repainted. I have done this myself on numerous occasions.

Sturmey Archer began production of dynohubs in the 1930s although I don't have my data to hand at this time. It may be an early 12v or 8v model.

I'm from the US and thus would not be able to visit your shop; I certainly will if I am over that way!
My inquiry involves one of the "AW" hubs (clearly stamped) that does not have a "date code" stamped into it. It is mounted on what I believe to be a Raleigh Ladies Sports C. Tourist, year unknown, serial # J26399 (seat post lug, left side), "fully closed" gear case, rod brakes. It does have the black left ball-cup, but I have not taken the unit apart (or even removed the wheel off the frame yet) to determine if the driver (sprocket?) is threaded or not. Could this have a 3-splined driver and the black cup? Just curious as to the possibility of someone having "mixed and matched" parts from different year hubs, as it seems that the frame serial number puts it in the 1930-1933 range (a guess, no data to substantiate this), but it could not have an "AW" hub that early (pre 1936). It has a front dynohub (chromed), but I have yet to see an example of it in any photo and I have no idea as to its originality to the frame. I have never worked on this bike and/or hub as I have just received it in the past 6 months, and I generally rebuild Italian race bikes, thus just starting to try and figure out what vintage this bike is. I do have a 1970 Raleigh Sports with the original hub that I dismantled only to the point of lubing the "wheel" bearings and nothing more; "AW" with 69 17 date code; I thoroughly enjoy that bike and would really like to do right by my "new" ride. I also have the Men's Tourist (?) version of approximately the same vintage as the Ladies, but I've not inspected it yet for any stampings, dates, serial #'s, etc. I would be happy to forward photos if you would entertain helping with identifying this bike and/or components. I know you are a busy man and I do not want to impose on you if this is not something you would normally take time out of your day to do. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Respectfully,
Howard Phillips

Thank you.
Colin Bell (le Clochers)

Although I do have one set in stock I am unfortunately unable to sell these other than as part of a repair carried out in my workshop.