Early 1930's

Chater-Lea End

These were produced by chater-lea, and other manufacturers as a preformed end which was brazed to cut seat stay prior to brazing to the frame.

(Note the image shown is not of a Flying Scot)

Mid 1930's to 1939

Spearpoint End

Still using a pre-formed end, this 'spearpoint' finish to the seat stay appears to have been introduced with the use of so-called 'continental' fittings. These are probably by EKLA.

Post WWII from 1946 to 1949

Concave Oval Cap

The use of pre-formed ends was dropped, and the first style of capped stay was introduced. This involved cutting the seat stay at an angle, brazing it to the frame, and then brazing a closure over the cut end - in this case an concave oval cap.

1949 to 1973 ?

Wrapround Oval Cap

By far the longest lasting of them all, the oval cap was changed in the late 40's to a teardrop shape which was extended beyond the stay and around the front of the lug.

1958,

Domed End

Now and then, a quite unusual (for Rattray's at least) treatment of the seat stays turns up that departs from the norm. The next two top eyes fall in to this category.

The first one shown here dates from 1958 and the end of the stay has been mitred and brazed straight on to the side of the seat lug. The end has simply been rounded over with a domed end not unlike that used at the joint with the dropouts.

1968, 1978

Fastback

In this case, the stay's are mitred and brazed to the rear of lug under under the seat bolt. The earliest frame seen so far dates from 1967/68, and the latest in 1978 !

1973-1979

Squared End

The wrapround stay was abandoned in favour of this flat and sqaure finished easier to assemble pre-formed end.

1979 on

Engraved Oval End

Pre-formed ends continued to be used however they did improve the look when the squared-off end was replaced by the more traditional oval shape, and with 'SCOT' engraved on the face.