Bicycle i.d. Help

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

Trying to identify this bicycle, for a friend.
Possibly BSA?

 

[corbettclassics]

I've seen this rear bridge and chainring before and know this bike .. but it's at the tip of my tongue!!!

My first guess was that it's an early Gladiator. Then I started thinking it's a French bike.

Hmmm ....... gotta check some things. ( I know the bike though and just can't think of it this moment )

 

[corbettclassics]

I have this photo cabinet card of a racer - same rear brake bridge, sloping down top tube and fork crown (I think ). Just came across it but wasn't what I was thinking of what I've got on the bike though. What is cool about the photo is that the guy on the bike has a cigarette in his mouth!!

 

[GiovanniLiCalsi]

The owner of this bicycle is guessing that the date of manufacturing is around 1902.
I’m guessing that the stem is a later replacement.