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@Rik_Van_Looy
Re: Frame Pedigree
Definitely 40's/50's British - still not 100% sure it's Dawes... (Other (vague) possibilities include Stallard/Bates/Viking/Carlton).
It's a bit tricky finding info on Vintage Dawes' as they inspire only modest enthusiasm - it's a bit like rock'n'roll - Defunct names get tinged with nostalgia whilst survivors who grow into commercial giants leave the punters feeling slightly empty and used!!!
(I suppose I'm saying that Dawes are the Dave Gilmour of volume framebuilding to Freddy Grubb's Syd Barrett)
To get to the bottom of this I opened a thread on Classic Rendezvous and contacted owners of similar frames on Flickr - Both avenues returned useful info. and heart-warming generosity of spirit
Contrary to my prejudice, Dawes have a fanbase out there!
To collect my thoughts and conclude speculation, here's a summary of findings based on key features of the frame.
P-Prefix to 4-digit serial# (P4211)
I've been told of a factory fire at Dawes in which the serial# database was destroyed so there's no definitive list - the only hope is matching lugs or finding a close serial number.
The best serial# match I've found is on Bikeforums.net a Dawes - ca.1951 with serial# V3557 (reasonably close to my P4211). I can't access the photos but the owner describes a flaming D headtube badge which presumably looks like this:
(This image comes from the Old Bike Showroom which at some stage sold a Dawes (also claimed to be a 1951 model)).
The P-prefix also helps rule out some of the other possibilities - makes it unlikely to be a Carlton (they skipped from M to S in 1964) or Bates (they used the prefix to denote model number - none of which was a P - same story with Stallard)
Serial Number on Rear LH Dropout
Common to all my shortlist - the (by no means exhaustive) list on Classic Lightweights is a good place to start if anyone else is looking to id a frame.
No serial number on headtube or fork crown
Doesn't tell me much really - it's possible that they're replacement forks but they look the part.. (my correspondants have been most accomodating, but fork removal would be too much to ask I fear!!!)
The owner of the blue frame below thinks mine is more modern than his as the fork rake is a bit tighter.
Canti. Brake Bosses
I've not met anyone who's disputed my theory that these were added more recently to accomodate 700c wheels. Canti's began to appear in the 60's and this frame is certainly older than that.
Seatstay caps
These are quite interesting - other than an apparant similarity with the photo on CR Dawes page The only other frame I've found with this pattern of seatstay cap is the Bates BAR - none of the other Dawes models I've seen have this seatstay cap pattern... although this frame looks like it has the same seatstays, the owner assures me they are different (I suspect they don't extend as far forward as mine).
Stallard rear dropouts
These are stamped steel plate with a tang to prevent axle slippage for FG/SS use - The Classic Rendezvous Dawes page refers to "Stallard-ish Dropouts" - so that doesn't stop it being a Dawes!
Headtube Lugs
The headtube lugs are very Dawes-Like and my 1951 correspondant also has this shape...
Headtube badge
The 2 headbadge rivet holes on my frame are 2" apart, but my correspondant measured his at 1.75"
Up until I saw the headtube badge on the Old Bicycle Showroom frame I thought this was a deal-killer, but now I'm not so sure - it would be good to get the measurements of the OBS badge and see if the holes are 2" apart!!!
Bottom Bracket Shell
Shell is stamped "British Made CR2" and has a grease port on top
All the bikes I've seen have a grease port, none have the "British Made". According to the CR page Dawes procured all lugs from UK suppliers, so again it's possible.
Pump Pegs
Originally on the seattube (before they were ground off) - This is a bit odd I've not seen any other 50's Dawes frames with this location - the OBS model has them on the downtube, ditto the blue and black frames above. The clansman has them under the crossbar...
Lamp Bosses
Front lamp boss on RH fork blade and a rear lamp eyelet on RH seatstay - commonplace on '50s British Frames
Conclusion:
95% sure it's a Dawes, but if anyone has any other ideas - I'm all ears.