1942 Columbia G519 opinions

[Pedals Past]

Tires and pedals I am not sure about but scored original pump at the Plymouth Ca military meet. Thoughts on speedo ? 6th division mail bag ? I dont think the basket is military but it goes with the bike in my opinion I am sure everyone has seen this bike and its serial number but I brought it home from Yountville vets museum and will take it to the plymouth show in the spring.

 

[Mercian]

Hi Jerry @Pedals Past

Thanks for the photos.

The inverted W for an M is always an interesting variant. The first time it was seen there were some doubts, but it is entirely correct.

You can see from the details I've collected below that it seems Columbia were using it exclusivly for a short while, there being four known survivors in a block like this.

Also, Westfield hadn't used W in serial numbers at all before this point, but War Resrictions brought in in early September 1942 meant that civilian bikes produced by Westfield had to be stamped W before the serial number.

The frames for the G519's are J10, or October 1942 made, so it seems like the new W stamp was ordered, arrived, and then used as an M. Perhaps they thought to do this from then on, and were told to revert to a proper M, because later G519 do use a proper M.

Then there is a batch of civilian bikes, correctly stamped with the W...

I agree, tyres and pedals don't look correct. Speedo also unlikely, but it's your bike, go with what you're happy with.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[Pedals Past]

Hi Jerry @Pedals Past

Thanks for the photos.

The inverted W for an M is always an interesting variant. The first time it was seen there were some doubts, but it is entirely correct.

You can see from the details I've collected below that it seems Columbia were using it exclusivly for a short while, there being four known survivors in a block like this.

Also, Westfield hadn't used W in serial numbers at all before this point, but War Resrictions brought in in early September 1942 meant that civilian bikes produced by Westfield had to be stamped W before the serial number.

The frames for the G519's are J10, or October 1942 made, so it seems like the new W stamp was ordered, arrived, and then used as an M. Perhaps they thought to do this from then on, and were told to revert to a proper M, because later G519 do use a proper M.

Then there is a batch of civilian bikes, correctly stamped with the W...

View attachment 2148334


I agree, tyres and pedals don't look correct. Speedo also unlikely, but it's your bike, go with what you're happy with.

Best Regards,

Adrian

I think the speedo was a bike accessory after war sold much like Army men that were used by civilians (mostly boys playing army with their bikes) researching the 6th division it appears to be a USMC infantry 1945 in Okinawa so being a 1942 bike most likely used on a US base …. those become pitter patter additions cool but not exactly correct the pedals are wood blocked but black out looks repaint ….. the tires are not close being chinese balloon I am not sure about bell being correct however the pump i bought has a needle attachment on the hose the leather gasket is still there so it may not have ever been on a bike the guy said he had that pump for over 60 years and had it on his table at so many military swaps and no one was ever interested in it. I would like to find tires tool pouch and correct pedals someday. There is so much misrepresented stuff in all hobbies its hard to keep up with what to do or us andvit seems to not matter someone likes to debate for sake of argument. I appreciate you valued response I believe we talked about this bike before I got it …. It spent summer at vets home museum and will go back when the theme is military again I have shown juvenile western theme and cap gun collections, nude painting displays, Balloon tire bikes, kitchenware and barware as well as local artifact displays

 

[ManCABE2022]

need to correct saddle,pedal, fender light,badge, bell, grips other than that i have nothing to say. its a nice bike anyways

 

[Pedals Past]

Hi Jerry @Pedals Past

Thanks for the photos.

The inverted W for an M is always an interesting variant. The first time it was seen there were some doubts, but it is entirely correct.

You can see from the details I've collected below that it seems Columbia were using it exclusivly for a short while, there being four known survivors in a block like this.

Also, Westfield hadn't used W in serial numbers at all before this point, but War Resrictions brought in in early September 1942 meant that civilian bikes produced by Westfield had to be stamped W before the serial number.

The frames for the G519's are J10, or October 1942 made, so it seems like the new W stamp was ordered, arrived, and then used as an M. Perhaps they thought to do this from then on, and were told to revert to a proper M, because later G519 do use a proper M.

Then there is a batch of civilian bikes, correctly stamped with the W...

View attachment 2148334


I agree, tyres and pedals don't look correct. Speedo also unlikely, but it's your bike, go with what you're happy with.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[Jonesy]

@Mercian Apologies that it's taken so long but the bike has been in storage all winter. I'm having a great weekend in swapping out the incorrect items. The Morrow date code is L4.

Hopefully I can get a nice photo of her tomorrow with all the original items I've sourced.

 

[Mercian]

Hi Jerry. @Jonesy

Thanks for remembering (-:

L4, Oct to Dec 1942 so likely the original rear hub.

Best regards,

Adrian

 

[Jonesy]

I've had a good day today. I swapped the fender light for a a non wartime version Delta Winner where I've beaten out the embosed name, replaced the kickstand, replaced the grips with a set made by Quest Masters, temporarily fitted a Persons tool pouch (post war jewelled version where I've removed the jewels) and replaced the rear reflector with a correct one. I've attempted to colour match the bike but haven't been very successful. I'm leaning towards a full respray for this one.

I have a couple of Bevin Bells awaiting me in the US when I'm next over. So the only item I'm really looking for now is the correct seat.

Neil.

 

[Jonesy]

Oh, and I replaced the pedals for Torringtons #8 with wood blocks that my father made last Christmas.