Mercian
I live for the CABE
I have a question, please: a Mesinger is shown on a Huffman bike in a picture taken from an Army technical manual, why is that saddle/information not correct?
http://www.theliberator.be/militarybicycles.htm
Hi Rustjunkie.
Actually, that's a very fair question. I hadn't noticed the saddle on the Huffman bike illustration before you pointed it out. (Sorry).
The parts book says that the issue saddle is a Persons 1352W in russet brown (saddle stem, incidentally, is 'Straight, 5/8ths Inch by 9 Inch).
For the saddle, I suggest that the parts books are all Westfield, I am not aware of a Huffman one so:
Perhaps the Mesinger saddles were fitted to Huffmans as standard? We would need more original photos, or a Parts Book to help demonstrate that. However, it is interesting that one has appeared with this frame.
Perhaps Mesinger saddles were fitted to some Huffmans and Columbias as a 'Substitute Standard' when the Persons was not available? This happened with other military vehicles, since 'Parts is Parts' and getting a usable item out of the door was important.
Perhaps the early (curved frame) Huffman illustrated is preproduction, and not fitted with the correct saddle? We know that catalogue illustrations of the period did not necessarily match the production bike.
Do Huffman have a history of using Mesinger saddles?
I would welcome any comments or other ideas on this, especially examples of Huffmans with the Mesinger saddle originally fitted.
Thanks,
Best Regards,
Adrian