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Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Several people are now making brass contract plates, but the type and size of lettering used to mark them varies a great deal.

So in order to get them right it helps to see an original.

So far I have seen the following

BSA WM20
C5610 21
C7287 24
C9310 30
C11101 31
C13290 33
S1048 34 Steel
S2603 35 Steel
S5209 36 Steel
S7217 37 Steel

So can anyone supply a picture of any original plate not on this list

Rob

 photo M20 C13290_zpsdorf0pji.jpg

 photo M20 S2603_zpsfwa5ho4j.jpg

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

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Hi Rob,

I also have a few;

C7576 24
C11082 30
C12424 32
C14498 35

20150929_064816

C14498 35

2014-04-16 13.19.32

And finally
S5161 38

2013-01-26 11.51.13

Lex might have a few as well..

Regards,

Sven

email (option): snvosselman@gmail.com

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Thanks Sven, 4 Nortons and BSA C12424 24, excellent.

Rob

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

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Have about 70 pictures of different ones, but too much work to post here, and several are posted above too, send me an email, and I will mail them back for everyone who needs the info.

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@welb***.net (it's the same, think about it!)

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

I have found a couple more pictures of BSA plates

So here is the list of known BSA examples.

C3655 18 KM20
C4452 19 C10
C5610 21
C7287 24
C9310 30
C11101 31
C12424 32
C13290 33
S1048 34 Steel
S2603 35 Steel
S5209 36 Steel
S7217 37 Steel

So I am still looking for an image of an original contract plate for

C5110 20
C6126 22
C6654 23
C7370 25 26 27 M21 M20 B29
C8330 28 WB30
???? 29 I wonder what this one was?
And any earlier than C3655 18

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

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

If these, and I see no reason to doubt it, are original then it seems that anything goes as regards the plate, the font and the size. A rivet counters ultimate nightmare! He He.

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Hi Keith
In some cases a number of the same contract plate have tuned up and they do tend to be the same.

Its not really surprising for in the case of a contract of 10,000 or even 17,000 machines, this insignificant little component would have to have been mass produced by someone.

Just imagine all those rivets.

Rob

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

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Rob Miller
Hi Keith
In some cases a number of the same contract plate have tuned up and they do tend to be the same.

Its not really surprising for in the case of a contract of 10,000 or even 17,000 machines, this insignificant little component would have to have been mass produced by someone.

Just imagine all those rivets.

Rob


I've just counted them and I make it 20,000 or even 34,000 rivets! Ooh i've got to sit down now!

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

 photo IMG_0396_zpsrsmortp1.jpg

contract plate from 1940 wng

email (option): goodbell@ripnet.com

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Norton Contract plate C.6653 25

 photo C6653 contract plate_zpsccmufu5e.jpg

email (option): ferrarakias@hotmail.com

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Rob, do we know if the brass plates were originally nickel-plated ?

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

No I don't think so Rik, plain brass with black painted or enamelled low points.

I think the Steel plates were cadmium plated.

Rob

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

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Rob, did you see that I posted one on the 16H forum, by the way ?

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Hi Rik

I may have made a mistake asking this question on Robs Norton forum at the same time as on here, we seem to be discussing BSA plates on there and Norton plates on here now

Time for bed I think.
Rob

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

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Just found this thread in a google search.. Where are these plates found on the bike. And if its not there anymore.... Someone is making repops?

email (option): wadeschields@mindspring.com

Re: Brass and Steel Contract Plates

Its always good when an old thread comes back to the top, I will try to find my missing photos and repost, and I think there have been some more discovered since 2015.

In answer to your question they are often on the removable section of rear number plate just above the rear lamp, but in some cases on top of the rear number plate, on the side the tool box (one early BSA contract)or front of the tool box (some Matchless's) wrapped around a rear tube (RE) on the lower frame plate (later Welbikes).

Rob

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

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