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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Royal Enfield mower date

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Hi folks,

I recently purchased a Royal Enfield from a fellow member of my local classic vehicle club. The chap I bought it from estimates it's date of manufacture around 1938 having seen a similar machine in a museum.

Can anyone advise how to date one of these mowers or tell me it's age? Cannot find a number on the machine itself but the engine number is 14W 784 - I think it is a Villiers engine. Has a brass carburettor I think.

My understanding is that pre-war Royal Enfields were gear driven and had Villiers engines?

Am delighted with the mower as I have been wanting a Royal Enfield for some time. Recently added some transfers bought from the club and it is looking good :-) Engine has a spark but am waiting for some good weather before starting it!

Thanks

Alec

Forums

Triumph66 Sat, 16/11/2019

That's a lovely looking example. I am sure someone on here will inform you about its age etc soon.

Clive1997 Sat, 16/11/2019

A nice example, as with most mowers it is quite difficult to date exactly as many do not bear serial numbers. I wonder if it was mine seen in the museum?

From my understanding they were introduced in 1932, just the 14in, with the 12in & 20in following in 1933, they were still being advertised in 1940 in sizes of 12,14,16 & 20.

It might be possible to date the Villiers engine, but this may not be the original or could have been on the shelf, so again it will not be an accurate date of the mower.

I am assuming yours is 14in?

This is the front of a 1933 brochure which folds out in to a rather nice poster with the 12in, 14in & 20in

 

Alec Sat, 16/11/2019

Thanks for sharing the information and brochure cover Clive, that is a work of art! Much appreciated.

Not sure of the size of my mower, if it is 14 or 16in - I will measure the width of the cutting cylinder and confirm.

The previous owner saw the machine from the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport which is listed as 1938.

 

Clive1997 Fri, 14/02/2020

Hello Alec

A bit more info on the date, I have established the following re your mower  W 764 with grass box, tool kit & K S Crank was dispatched on 17th October 1947 to J & M Dixon Ltd, Guildhall Buildings, Birmingham.

Hope that's of interest.

Alec Fri, 14/02/2020

Hi Clive, that is fantastic information thank you, much appreciated!

I take my hat off to you for discovering not just the date but the original dealer too!

Fascinating that it is post-war but I guess like car manufacturers, mower makers would have continued with pre-war designs after the end of hostilities. 

Thank you again for taking the time to research this, I am most grateful. Cheers, Alec

 

TSargood Tue, 20/10/2020

Hi

I just today found a very similar mower.

I would also like to know a bit more about it.

How would I go about finding the numbers to identity it's age?

I'm here in Australia and I believe only very few were sold here new.

Mine is missing the catcher and exhaust, would there be anywhere to source replacements?

Regards

Tim

Clive1997 Tue, 20/10/2020

Hello

If you look at the 3rd image down at the top of this thread you will see the number on top of crankcase, if you can let me have this I may be able to help with dating the mower.

As to parts this is a bit more difficult, probably little chance of finding a secondhand grass box or silencer, both would need to be replicated, although you may find, say an Atco silencer that would have been used on a similar sized engine?

TSargood Tue, 20/10/2020

Many thanks Clive

I will have a look later today and get back to you

Regards

Tim

TSargood Tue, 20/10/2020

Hi

I had a quick look this morning.

I couldn't see any numbers and it looks different to the one posted above, unless I'm looking in the wrong spot .

I'll give it a good clean over the weekend and see what I can find.

Regards

Tim