1947? Monark built JC Higgins

[Kennie]

I recently picked up this JC Higgins( Monark built). I was able to find the Sears catalog number which dates it as a 1947 or 1948, and the Monark serial number, I have found 2 different charts for Monark and 1 shows it to be a 1947 and the other a 1948, so I am wondering if anyone knows any other way to find the exact year, also I have looked online and can’t find a Monark built JC Higgins with the same tank graphics, so I also am wondering how rare it is

 

[mrg]

Don't know anything about Monark serial #'s but in the catalog ( you have to look close ) that tank graphic was used on standard equipped models in 47 & 48, Murry built in the pic but all builders used same in whatever yr., Murry, Monark & Westfield seemed like the biggest suppliers in those years and supplied different parts of the country but think Murry built the most?

 

[Kennie]

Yeah, I noticed that in the book also, but it looks like the standard bike had the same graphics for both years and I was able to find a picture of a Murray built boys bike with the same graphics and a Monark built girls bike with the same graphics, thanks

 

[Adamtinkerer]

Murray took over the majority of bike production in 1938, and continued through the '70s. But Sears continued to order small runs through Westfield and Monark, adding imports through Stelber in 1956, while Murray completed their new factory in TN that year. Most of said imports were built by Puch in Austria, others were built in W. Germany, probably by Steyr. They started using Huffy too in the '60s. Monark serial #'s aren't set in stone, it's often easier to date them by the features if complete.

 

[Kennie]

The only thing missing is the light and everything seems to be the same for the 2 years, thanks for the info

 

[piercer_99]

1948, first year that the fender brackets bolted to the frame and not the axle.

 

[Kennie]

1948, first year that the fender brackets bolted to the frame and not the axle.

Ok, so is that something they did for the Monarks also or just the JCH’s they built? Thanks

 

[piercer_99]

Ok, so is that something they did for the Monarks also or just the JCH’s they built? Thanks

All Monark balloon tire frames.

This is a 1948

This is a 1947

 

[Kennie]

I had no Idea about that, I have a 1948 Firestone Super Cruiser, cool to know both Monark built bikes I have are the same year