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Thanks Jonny! really interesting points you've made I'll have a look at that site though I've looked a lot at the Bates history I'm wondering if there's more explanation of it's more simple use of the nervex's. I knew they custom made them for people too. I thought it was a nice & light frame regardless, just thought it was almost as if somebody has re-sprayed & used decals on the E.G Bates badges.
el_carnero
Those are the earlier Nervex lugs, so think early 50s. The brazed on cable guide over the bottom bracket may well be a later addition because those sort of things tended to be band on. May be a 70s addition when over-bracket guides were popular.
The paint looks very thick. Original paint was thin enough that it picked out how well the lugs had been cut - it was something the more prestigious frame builders were proud of. On a Bates I would expect custom cut fancy lugs, but they might have made some off the peg frames with Nervex lugs.
Have a look on the classic lightweights site frame builders section. You're looking for some telltale touches like the seat stays, lugs, fork crown; that sort of thing that the builders did to make their frames stand out. Yours doesn't have anything that stands out as distinctive, unfortunately, so it might be difficult to pin down who the frame builder was. Still looks like a nice frame though, even if it's not a Bates.