Rod Brake / Drum Brake

[TR6SC]

I stopped by a friend's house this morning and lo and behold! Small frame, looks like a 20." 26" wheels, but it looks like 28s could be snuck in.
A bit sad. The seat post is a 3/4" water pipe with a bell reducer. The chrome is shot. But, how can one not bring this thing back to life?
It is a single speed with a strap drum on the rear. Nice chaincase, and the fender braces are lovely. I am guessing that the Brits went to a sidestand post-war. Prince by Bridgestone and it even has BS on the saddle.
Experts come forth, please.

 

[Andrew Gorman]

It's Japanese!

 

[oldy57]

Japanese made bike, started making bikes in 1949. Not huge in collector market. Not many of these around.

 

[SirMike1983]

The snail drum was popular in Japan and parts of east Asia, including the Dutch East Indies. But rod-drum rigs were also popular in Denmark and parts of northern Europe, though those generally were Sturmey style drums rather than snail drums. I do agree this loks Asian, yeah, probably Japanese.

 

[TR6SC]

Does that mean that Sir Whitworth is not connected to this bicycle? Are we talking Metric? Bridgestone is Japanese. I feel naïve. The surprises never end. Thank you all for the education and entertainment!

 

[SirMike1983]

Does that mean that Sir Whitworth is not connected to this bicycle? Are we talking Metric? Bridgestone is Japanese. I feel naïve. The surprises never end. Thank you all for the education and entertainment!

I would bet metric on this one - I don't think Bridgestone copied Whitworth tooling from the British, at least I've never seen one where they did.

 

[TR6SC]

So that's why the chrome is peeling off. Any guesses as to the year?

 

[bulldog1935]

for future reference, here is a nice Japan catalog dfatabase - only place I know to find anything on Japan bikes before 1970
http://cyclespeugeot.web.fc2.com/reminiscencebyenglish.htm
Most of the bicycles in these catalog pages are high-grade home-market touring bikes that copy the French, and many use French components.

Bridgestone began making bicycles in 1949

I think dating your bike to the 50s is realistic.
Certainly not identical, but not unlike this 1955 Sunstar.