Pre 1950s rides of LFGSS: old bikes, vintage rats, classic lightweights

I can make a guess at the maker of this odd frame - it's a wild guess, but if I'm right it's probably the nearest you will get.

Les Dunster lived near Reading (Tilehurst), he was a talented engineer and bike rider (Calleva RC and latterly Hounslow and District Whrs) who made a few frames and other components. None of his work was commercial, just something he did for his own amusement.

Back in the fifties when a Campag Gran Sport rear mech cost the astronomic sum of £4, Les made his own copy, which was identical to the original - without the logo, obvs. It worked just as well as the Italian product. This mech was donated to a cycling museum which, much to the annoyance of the donor (my club mate Ron Richardson), went bust and it's entire collection went to somewhere in Eastern Europe.

I don't think Les made all that many frames, as I said it wasn't a business. However I understand that every one of his frames had some kind of eccentricity - in fact I don't think he would have seen any point in building a standard frame.

This frame has the look of dating from round about 1950, which would be right for Les's frame building period, it's said to come from Reading and it's distinctly odd. None of this proves anything, but it may well be the nearest you'll get to identification.

There are two people who might know more - if I learn anything more I will post.