Hi everyone,
I'm hoping for some expert help in identifying a vintage Kashimax saddle. It has a few features that suggest it's a very early production model, and I'd love to get the details right.
Saddle Info:
* Maker: Kashima Saddle Mfg. Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan.
* Model: Stamped "KSM".
* Base Markings: "MATERIAL NYLON", part number "7382", and a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) logo.
* Dating System: This saddle does not have the common "dial clock" date code. Instead, it has two rows of numbers with dots, which I believe is the earlier system used on MX/KSM models.
Here are my questions for the community:
* How do I correctly read this date code? I've read that with this two-row system, the year is the first number in the top row without a dot above it, and the month is marked by a dot in the bottom row. Can anyone help me confirm the date based on the photos?
* Why is there no patent mark? Many other Kashimax saddles are stamped "pat. p" (patent pending). This one has no patent markings anywhere, on the shell or the guts. Could this indicate a "pre-patent," very early production run?
* What's unique about the seat guts (clamp)? The design is different from most vintage clamps I've seen. It's a two-bolt assembly with standard hex nuts. The main oddity is the side plates: they don't have the typical bend or "stop" that would limit its position on the seatpost. Is this an early or rare version of the original Kashimax guts?
Any information, catalog scans, or comparisons would be greatly appreciated. I'm attaching detailed photos of all markings and the clamp assembly.
Thanks!
by dmitrii08