I wonder if these are British despatch riders or allies, the badge on the collar is just a number 2.No black out masks,the tops of the head lamps are a lighter colour.

Early 16H's from 1939 with gas detection paint on the tops of the 8" headlamps. Rik and Rob will know more. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

French uniform perhaps?

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

I think the riders are French,seen some photos of a 1940 French infantry man and the collar insignia is similar,and the puttees are the same,maybe that they just posed on them for the photo?

The furthest bike has the Serial C49333 which is from a block reserved for impressed motorcycles of various makes C58322 to C60787.

Is the front brake drum on the opposite side to the nearer machine?

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

Rob, it will be a 1939 civilian machine. Norton swapped the front brake to the right for 1939 (the Internationals had always been on the right, although the ordinary roadsters retained the bolt-on drum).

Does the exhaust downpipe line suggest and OHV model ?

Wouldn't it be wonderful to find the master list of impressed motorcycle census numbers ?

It would be nice to find any more info on impressed machines.

By the way I made a mistake in the block, its C48301 to 58301 Impressed machines.

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

These Triumph Tiger 100 machines are also probably impressed,they must have been painted in a rush there is paint on the tyres,and drips on the silencer,no rear lights are fitted.