Mercian
I live for the CABE
Hi Rustjunkie,
thanks for starting the search. I would have done, but I'm quite a few hours ahead of you, so our last convo was at Midnight for me, and I was turning into a pumpkin. (-:
I've seen the signal corps photo before, but confess to never having looked at the saddle. So, it knocks one theory out, unless it's the same bike (highly unlikely) the one in the manual is not a 'one off'. So, I'm persuaded that the Mesinger saddle was fitted to Huffmans at least some of the time. Which is great, we are learning new stuff. (-:
The modern photo's are less convincing (though not to be ignored), since the saddle had 70 years to be swapped by that point. It is interesting that both bikes are early curved downtube versions. Nate's is a very late straight tube one. If we can find a straight tube original photo with the mesinger saddle (difficult, given the dearth of original pics of bikes in general, and then having the right angle to see the saddle and chainring) I will be more convinced it happened throughout production. But I'm getting there, especially with Nate's saddle remains. Of course, this could have come from an earlier Huffman, or an entirely other bike, (I don't know how common this type of saddle is), but it seems appropriate at least for an 'as used' bike, and may be appropriate for an 'as made' bike.
Nate, is there any sign of green paint on the saddle frame? Rustjunkie, do you know if these saddle frames were originally chrome? If yes, and this one is not chromed, it indicates war period, either Military or Blackout.
If anyone has original pics of Huffmans or Westfields with either saddle they'd like to add, please do so.
The Huffman image comes from (at least) ORD 7-8 SNL G-519 of July 1949 (though I'm sure there were earlier ones)
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobbies/MILITARY-BICYCLE-MANUALS/i-9gSW7Sj/0/XL/ORD 7-8 SNL G-519-XL.jpg
(Image from Handcartz).
I don't have an original (pity), but reprints of them can be bought here... http://www.robvanmeel.nl/?q=content...-ord-7-8-snl-g519-1943-1949-poor-quality-55-p
Nate, the manuals are useful (despite the comment 'poor quality', since they go into detail on parts (though, apparently, for Westfield more than Huffman).
Also, the SN picture above illustrates the yellow/green primer used on Huffmans.
Have a Good Weekend,
Adrian
If it is still of interest, I will scan the page early next week.
thanks for starting the search. I would have done, but I'm quite a few hours ahead of you, so our last convo was at Midnight for me, and I was turning into a pumpkin. (-:
I've seen the signal corps photo before, but confess to never having looked at the saddle. So, it knocks one theory out, unless it's the same bike (highly unlikely) the one in the manual is not a 'one off'. So, I'm persuaded that the Mesinger saddle was fitted to Huffmans at least some of the time. Which is great, we are learning new stuff. (-:
The modern photo's are less convincing (though not to be ignored), since the saddle had 70 years to be swapped by that point. It is interesting that both bikes are early curved downtube versions. Nate's is a very late straight tube one. If we can find a straight tube original photo with the mesinger saddle (difficult, given the dearth of original pics of bikes in general, and then having the right angle to see the saddle and chainring) I will be more convinced it happened throughout production. But I'm getting there, especially with Nate's saddle remains. Of course, this could have come from an earlier Huffman, or an entirely other bike, (I don't know how common this type of saddle is), but it seems appropriate at least for an 'as used' bike, and may be appropriate for an 'as made' bike.
Nate, is there any sign of green paint on the saddle frame? Rustjunkie, do you know if these saddle frames were originally chrome? If yes, and this one is not chromed, it indicates war period, either Military or Blackout.
If anyone has original pics of Huffmans or Westfields with either saddle they'd like to add, please do so.
The Huffman image comes from (at least) ORD 7-8 SNL G-519 of July 1949 (though I'm sure there were earlier ones)
https://photos.smugmug.com/Hobbies/MILITARY-BICYCLE-MANUALS/i-9gSW7Sj/0/XL/ORD 7-8 SNL G-519-XL.jpg
(Image from Handcartz).
I don't have an original (pity), but reprints of them can be bought here... http://www.robvanmeel.nl/?q=content...-ord-7-8-snl-g519-1943-1949-poor-quality-55-p
Nate, the manuals are useful (despite the comment 'poor quality', since they go into detail on parts (though, apparently, for Westfield more than Huffman).
Also, the SN picture above illustrates the yellow/green primer used on Huffmans.
Have a Good Weekend,
Adrian
If it is still of interest, I will scan the page early next week.