Mystery stamp on bottom bracket shell?
06-08-19, 10:21 PM
#1
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Mystery stamp on bottom bracket shell?
This is a mark stamped in the bottom of the Gitane I just bought. Is it a G? Or would that be too easy.
Anyone know what it means? Anything to do with threading? Maker of BB shell?
Anyone know what it means? Anything to do with threading? Maker of BB shell?
06-08-19, 10:43 PM
#2
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At Trek the builders had builders marks that they stamped into the BB shell.
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06-09-19, 04:47 PM
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It looks like an incomplete '5'. It could be a builder's number, inspector number, cavity number, die number, etc.
06-09-19, 07:12 PM
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I’ve got a mysterious ‘10’ stamped on the back of my Pinarello BB shell:
That’s in addition to the serial number. Not sure if all Pinarellos or Montellos had a number there.
That’s in addition to the serial number. Not sure if all Pinarellos or Montellos had a number there.
06-10-19, 07:50 AM
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While it could be a frame builder's mark, I wouldn't rule out an incomplete five just based on the curl. Stamps came in all styles of font. Here's an example with even more curl.
06-11-19, 10:15 PM
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I agree with T-Mar, a poorly stamped "5". I have seen other Gitane serial number stampings and sometimes these look to be the same font.
07-01-19, 05:39 PM
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I dont think its a 5 because the lower part curls in.... I am think a frame builders mark.
I wish I could find Gitane owner who could share if their bike also has a mark.
I wonder if @verktyg has any info to add.
I wish I could find Gitane owner who could share if their bike also has a mark.
I wonder if @verktyg has any info to add.
A number of years back there was an attempt by members of the GitaneUSA.com forum to decipher the numbers stamped into Gitane frames. The conclusion was that there's no rhyme, reason or logic much less traceability for those numbers. Same with Motobecane and many of the other French makers.
There are some records of Peugeot serial numbers but all of those companies went out of business at least 25 years ago and with them all of their records.
No telling what the "5" stood for....
verktyg
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07-01-19, 08:25 PM
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The stamp looks too deep to be missing the top line of the 5...Looks like builders mark to me unless the stamp was broken.
Best, Ben
Best, Ben
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07-01-19, 09:58 PM
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Most Gitanes were high volume models that were churned out in a factory production line manned by line worker type braziers/assemblers, Just like most other bike big French bike factories of the time. (That's why build quality was not what big French makers like Gitane and Peugeot were known for)
Unless this is some sort of limited edition "special " or something built for their pro teams, it is doubtful that they would stamp on a "builder's" mark on the BB shell.....or anywhere else on the bike.....
I agree, I think it's just a misstamped "5"..... Done for tracking stock/product....that week??
Unless this is some sort of limited edition "special " or something built for their pro teams, it is doubtful that they would stamp on a "builder's" mark on the BB shell.....or anywhere else on the bike.....
I agree, I think it's just a misstamped "5"..... Done for tracking stock/product....that week??
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72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
