Just found a 1953 Schwinn Spitfire on Facebook

[AS-1]

A17847. Also it has painted striped wheels instead of chrome.

Your bike is a 1953 Schwinn Deluxe Spitfire built on 8/18/1953. It's a really nice bike and one that is not often seen. @GTs58 makes a good point regarding the transition from 1"pitch to 1/2" pitch. Given the birthday of your bike, it is altogether reasonable to say that you sprocket is original. The rims are perfect. Below, please find the catalog cut for your bike. The Standard model had neither the rack, the truss rods, the tank, nor the Torpedo headlight.

 

[GTs58]

Did you notice the paint detailing difference at the head?

Your bike is a 1953 Schwinn Deluxe Spitfire built on 8/18/1953. It's a really nice bike and one that is not often seen. @GTs58 makes a good point regarding the transition from 1"pitch to 1/2" pitch. Given the birthday of your bike, it is altogether reasonable to say that you sprocket is original. The rims are perfect. Below, please find the catalog cut for your bike. The Standard model had neither the rack, the truss rods, the tank, nor the Torpedo headlight.

View attachment 2440290

 

[AS-1]

Did you notice the paint detailing difference at the head?

No, I did not! Good eye. The stenciling really sticks out and just adds more value to the DeLuxe designation. I don't think I've ever seen a 1953 DeLuxe Spitfire before. Are there a lot of them floating around?

 

[blakekennedy]

I wouldn’t say the stenciling was a distinguishing factor for deluxe bikes. Looks like it a late change at the end of the model run. Here’s a non deluxe:

Thread '1952 Schwinn Spitfire'

Jul 31, 2017

SOLD 8-2-17...I'm selling my 52 Spitfire for 395.00....Plus Shipping , This is a very nice survivor bike ,Original paint, there have been touch ups over the years.
All of the bearings have been taken apart, cleaned and regreased .
The bike rides really nice, as it has for many years. Its ready for many enjoyable rides.
The serial number is B74774...It was made in 1952
I tryed to capture some of the patina from it's 65 years of life, It is a rider, not a show bike .
I just have too many at this point, hoping to see it go to a good home

...

• Rayzur
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Sell - Trade: Bicycle Parts, Accessories, Ephemera

• 

 

[AS-1]

I wouldn’t say the stenciling was a distinguishing factor for deluxe bikes. Looks like it a late change at the end of the model run. Here’s a non deluxe:

Thread '1952 Schwinn Spitfire'

Jul 31, 2017

SOLD 8-2-17...I'm selling my 52 Spitfire for 395.00....Plus Shipping , This is a very nice survivor bike ,Original paint, there have been touch ups over the years.
All of the bearings have been taken apart, cleaned and regreased .
The bike rides really nice, as it has for many years. Its ready for many enjoyable rides.
The serial number is B74774...It was made in 1952
I tryed to capture some of the patina from it's 65 years of life, It is a rider, not a show bike .
I just have too many at this point, hoping to see it go to a good home

...

• Rayzur
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Sell - Trade: Bicycle Parts, Accessories, Ephemera

• 

With the stenciling, the rack, the truss rods, and the Torpedo headlight, it almost has to be a DeLuxe with a missing tank. The standard model had simple pins.

 

[blakekennedy]

With the stenciling, the rack, the truss rods, and the Torpedo headlight, it almost has to be a DeLuxe with a missing tank. The standard model had simple pins.

Now that I look at it again you’re right, didn’t see the marks well on the frame where a tank was.

I assume 52 deluxe’s used the simple pins? I’ve seen a few of those floating around. They look exactly like the catalog image you posted.

 

[AS-1]

That bike has a serial number problem, too. The B74774 shows up in March of 1962 and again in October of 1953