R1 xmetal generations

[fredam2008]

Hi All, just newbie question and appreciate all your inputs
I recently purchased my 2nd R1 xmetal which I believe this is early 1st gen because of the squared stem. However, I noticed couple of things with this early gen, that its arm tips (where temple shocks are meet) are rounded than the later gen which is more pointed; and also the width is much wider than later gen 1, even though I put size 25 temple shocks rubber. Is this how early (squarish) and later (roundish) gen 1 are main distinctions as well?

Photos attached below. note, early gen is on the left and bottom of the photos.

 

[Mike.vanderkoon]

@mjt42 could probably help you

 

[mjt42]

Nice observation...
I have never noticed this myself but there does seem to be an almost imperceivable difference.
It can probably be accounted for due to the extra work put into later pairs to smooth out the finish. Your early pair does seem to be in a more 'raw' state....

 

[TheDukeOfIce]

@SouLFuLFroG loves the 1st Gen stems, and has had quite a few go through his hands. He might have some interesting observations....

 

[alol]

Hi All, just newbie question and appreciate all your inputs
I recently purchased my 2nd R1 xmetal which I believe this is early 1st gen because of the squared stem. However, I noticed couple of things with this early gen, that its arm tips (where temple shocks are meet) are rounded than the later gen which is more pointed; and also the width is much wider than later gen 1, even though I put size 25 temple shocks rubber. Is this how early (squarish) and later (roundish) gen 1 are main distinctions as well?

Photos attached below. note, early gen is on the left and bottom of the photos.

View attachment 833146

View attachment 833147

View attachment 833149

You are becoming a prolific collector now Fred! I expressed a similar observation on here a couple of weeks ago with the frame colour variations

 

[fredam2008]

You are becoming a prolific collector now Fred! I expressed a similar observation on here a couple of weeks ago with the frame colour variations

View attachment 836949

lol Yeah I like to know the difference between these two generation 1 and if everyone also had came across to this same observation.