1896? Ames Model B

[lgrinnings]

Howdy folks-

I’ve got an 1896? Ames Model B bicycle. It’s dressed up like a racer, but I’d love to know what the Model B was originally designated when manufactured. It’s been repainted. The rear wheel has been replaced with a coaster brake, but I think I may have the original rim. Kelly bars are likely added as well. Leaf spring saddle has a very faint stamp of what looks like an “L” within a circle within a football shape with some other text. Plated parts have been painted black, but the nickel beneath looks fantastic. Has wire toe clips. And it’s way too tall for me to ride unfortunately.

I’ve done a bunch of searches, but have come up empty on bicycle-specific info. Any and all information is sincerely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

-Lester

 

[gkeep]

An interesting company.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ames_Manufacturing_Company.

This excerpt looks promising.

"In addition to producing military equipment for many years, including (in addition to swords) cannons, cannonballs, it also produced sewing machine and bicycle parts in the later 19th century. The company was a major supplier of bicycles to the Overman Wheel Company from 1883-1887.[3]

The sword manufacturing business was formally separated into an independent company in 1881.[4]

By 1907, the Ames foundries had been purchased by Chicopee's A.G. Spalding Company.[5]"

 

[Blue Streak]

Ames Manufacturing Company was founded 1828 and operated at least into late 1890's. Over those years they made firearms, silverware, machinist tools, bronze statuary and bicycles for others including Overman (Victor), New Mail and Sylph. Late 1894 they decided to also make their own bicycle called Ames. As far as I can tell Ames Bicycles were produced 1895, 1896 and 1897 model years. I have not found any Ames catalogs. Aretas Blood, head of Ames Manufacturing Company since 1880, passed away in November 1897. With Bloods passing, the references below indicate that at least the bicycle component of the company was closed and the factory put up for sale in December 1897. There are Ames Bicycle ads from 1898 but looks like selling off 1897 inventory. Total production volume appears to be less than 20,000. Lester - Can you find a serial number on yours? Jeff

1895 Ames Bicycles:
Model A - Men's road model $100.00
Model B - Men's medium grade road model $75.00
Model C - Women's $100.00
Model F - Racer $125.00
Model G - Women's $100.00

From October 12, 1894 issue of The Wheel:

From November 9, 1894 issue of The Wheel:

From November 16, 1894 issue of The Wheel:

From January 25, 1895 issue of The Wheel:

From February 22, 1895 issue of The Wheel:

From May 3, 1895 issue of The Wheel:

1896 Ames Bicycles: Six Models

From January 24, 1896 issue of The Wheel:

From February 21, 1896 issue of The Wheel:

From May 1, 1896 issue of The Brattleboro Reformer (Brattleboro VT)

1897 Ames Bicycles: 8 Models

From January 1897 issue of Recreation:

From June 1897 issue of Recreation:

From November 24, 1897 issue of Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River MA)

From December 31, 1897 issue of The Wheel:

1898 Ames Bicycles: Does not look like any were made for 1898, only selling off left over inventory.

From April 5, 1898 issue of Lancaster New Era (Lancaster PA)

From May 21, 1898 issue of Pittsburgh Post Gazette (Pittsburgh PA)

Two other examples of Ames Bicycles:

CABE 2013:

Copake Auction 2016:

 

[lgrinnings]

@Blue Streak this is incredible. My most sincere thanks for all the time you put into this epic response to my information request. It’s simply amazing. My uneducated guess would be that my Ames is the 1897 Model B special as it has a one-piece crank and removable chainring (assuming those components are original to the bicycle). The top tube has a larger diameter in the center than at the ends like the two ladies Ames seat tubes pictured. Awesome info. Thank you again.

P.S. I’ll check for a serial number tomorrow.

 

[lgrinnings]

@Blue Streak... okay, so maybe I'm earlier than '97. Serial number appears to be 681.

 

[Blue Streak]

Interesting. That is a low number. The only other Ames serial number reference I have found so far is this:

From April 18, 1897 issue of The Boston Globe:

This 1896 Ames with serial number 25,092 throws off my guesstimate of total production being under 20,000. Need to keep digging.