John Gray’s Hirondelle Superbe bicycle was photographed at an Alexandra Palace exhibition. These French bikes were built in the 19th century by the Hirondelle Company in St Etienne  which produced arms as well as bicycles, like the British company, BSA. Dimensions were taken off a bike at the Musée d’Art et d’Industrie in St Etienne.

The Superbe was the most luxurious model from the Manufrance factory, once the largest factory producing arms and bicycles in France.