Holdsworth & Claud Butler
An aluminium badge can indicate an immediately post war frame. Aluminium was freely available in 1939. Many aluminium accessories were offered in “Aids to Happy Cycling” 1939.
At the start of war aluminium became very scarce. It had been discovered that aluminium powder added to explosives greatly increased the blast, but there was not enough supply. All available aluminium went to depth charge production, there wasn’t enough for bombs until 1943. As war came to a close, aircraft and munitions production reduced, so that immediately post war, aluminium was more readily available than brass. Rationing of many goods lasted until 1950
From war end until sometime in 1946, Holdsworth used an aluminium headbadge. Neil Foddering’s original finish 1946 Holdsworth has an aluminium headbadge and an aluminium headclip, these were not sold by Holdsworth pre-war.
A Claud Butler Lady Lightweight made in Dec 1946 and in original finish sports an aluminium headbadge. So it does appear to be a general shortage.
The pre-war Holdsworth brass rectangular badge, with a dark background, re-appeared late 1946 or 1947 as shown on Doug Smiths original finish 1947 La Quelda.
A head-decal was fitted to this 1948 La Quelda (original finish), whether this was due to shortages is not known.