~ ~ ~ 1943 Huffman/Dayton Military Bike Found! ~ ~ ~

[Krakatoa]

I went to go look at a group of old bikes the other day owned by a really cool guy and ended up buying four bikes. There was this particular multiple layered house painted very rough and well used Dayton badged bike in the group. I just couldn't leave it behind and surprised I was when I got it home and started to look at it more closely.

Here are some pictures of it as found:

 

[Dave K]

Fantastic!!

 

[rustjunkie]

http://www.theliberator.be/militarybicycles.htm

 

[Krakatoa]

Upon closer inspection the first unusual thing I found was the serial #

 

[Krakatoa]

And looking into the serial further I came upon this site:

http://www.bergerwerke.com/historyG519.html

Even more surprising on one of the other bikes I bought were these Torrington bars with a khaki finish, and also this blackout Morrow rear coaster brake!

So I am thinking perhaps the former owner not knowing how these were all related 'migrated' some of the original parts?

In any case I am simply dumbfounded and super excited with this find!

 

[Mercian]

Hi Krakatoa,

As ever, all the excitement happens whilst those of us on this side of the pond snooze. (-:

Here is the list of known Huffman Dayton survivors that I am keeping up on this site:

http://thecabe.com/forum/threads/huffman-dayton-g519-frame-numbers.100336/

The 113 number on the fork indicates November 1943. It will be interesting to see if the brake is dated M3, or possibly M4.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[mike j]

Nice score, Nate. A little forensics goes a long way.

 

[catfish]

 

[THE STIG]

I'll take it

 

[tryder]

And looking into the serial further I came upon this site:

http://www.bergerwerke.com/historyG519.html

Even more surprising on one of the other bikes I bought were these Torrington bars with a khaki finish, and also this blackout Morrow rear coaster brake!

So I am thinking perhaps the former owner not knowing how these were all related 'migrated' some of the original parts?

In any case I am simply dumbfounded and super excited with this find!

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They call the finish Olive Drab. The original hubs likely were this color as well. Any of the wheels that you got have an Eclipse front barrel hub on it? If not go back and get it. You scored. Congrats!