Downtube - Early Block Style ; These days this is perhaps the rarest transfer. Used in the 1930's, it had stylised block lettering on what appears to be either a gold or silver panel, flanked by two thistles.

Downtube - Script Style ; The late 1930's saw the introduction of what was to become the most common down tube transfer. Whilst all have a black outline, and the majority have white as the main colour, they were all also available and used in red, gold and yellow. There is no rhyme nor reason to the use of the shortened version (The Scot) however it was clearly by customer choice and appear frequently. The original name for Rattray's machines were "The Scot" and many considered that "The Flying Scot", which became more prevalent in the late 1940's, was overly fancy. Earlier versions of the script transfer were often seen set on a speed effect panel in a contrasting colour as seen below. (The example shown here was used on a green 1947 machine).Click here for more detail of this transfer

Down Tube - 'Ventoux' Block Style ; Introduced in the late 1950's specifically for the Ventoux model. The lettering is simple 'Helvetica' typeface and so far only seen in white and black. There appears to only have ever been down tube transfers, with no equivalent seat tube version. By far the most original Scot with the this transfer can be seen here

Down & Seat Tube - Later Block Style ; Although this transfer is of a style more suited to the 1960's, it can be seen applied to the Path frame in the 1954 Catalogue. It's exact use and application are not known as the majority of machines both before and after used the earlier script transfer. As with the earlier transfer, they were also available and used in red, gold and yellow with the black outline, and in one case superimposed over a gold panel. Click here for more detail of this transfer

Down & Seat Tube Post Rattray's ; Almost all use the original script transfer as shown above. For a short time however in the 1980's, this transfer appeared on the seat & down tubes of some Scot's. The subtle shortening of the name is thought to have been done to avoid the trademark issues of the original name (The trademark protects the word's "The Flying Scot" only when applied to bicycles etc.). If you know better however please let me know ! Again this transfer was replicated on the seat tube.

Seat Tube 1 ; This is by far the most common transfer seen on the seat tubes of Scot's. First appearing in the 1930's, it continued to the end of the company and beyond. Generally it is only used with the early block or script style downtube transfers. The 'Continental Model' designation on the transfer is a bit of a misnomer. Many Scot frames had the transfer applied wether they were the "Continental" model or not.

Seat Tube 2 ; This transfer first appeared in the mid 1950's. As with the shortening of the name, there appears to be no rhyme nor reason to it's application. This seems to have been referred to as the "2 flags" for obvious reasons !

Seat Tube 3 ; This "Scottie" badge appeared from new at the top of the seat tube on Lottie Smiths 'Queen of Scots' machine No. 406A in 1950. Note the "Scottie image appeared also on early Rattray's advertisements.

Seat Tube Bands ; Typically these bands were 1/2" or 1" in depth and moved from initially being waterslide transfer to self-adhesive foil-backed in the mid 1950's. Used as basic frame decoration, these were also used to disguise the transition between panels of contrasting colour, and where a painted finish was joined to a (chrome) plated one. These are some of the more common ones used. Slightly narrower bands identical in colours, approx. 3/8" thick were used on transitions on the chain and seat stays. The variations are many however these are a few of the more common ones.

Red/Silver/Red : two bands separated by a broader silver band. In another version of this, the silver is replaced by a transparent backing to allow the frame colour to show through.


Red/Yellow/Black : Three identical width bands, with thin silver lines separating them.



Blue/Red/Black/Yellow/Green : Five identical width bands as in the World Championship colours.

Seat Tube - Frame Tubing ; Very few frames are found with even signs of an original tubing transfer having been fitted. In most instances this was by customer choice. The old adage "if you have to ask...." seems to have applied here. Lightweight builders, and Rattray's were no exception almost exclusively using either Reynolds 531 manganese-molybdenum or Accles & Pollock "KROMO" chrome-molybdenum tubing.

Chainguard ; Found on mixte frames and in this case an early 50's ladies frame. It is applied to the centre of the 'hockey stick' style chainguard used on this type of machine, and bears a striking resemblance to the twin thistles bordering the early downtube transfer.

Fork Blade ; A rarely seen but original Rattray's transfer for use on the fork blades.