Help with year

[MelissaF]

Just picked up this Ward Hawthorne and I’m stumped on the serial number stamp. It’s not like my other Ward Hawthorne. Any help would be appreciated so I can identify the year. I looked on the CWC chart and not seeing anything like this since there is not a letter before the number.

 

[Hastings]

1941

 

[MelissaF]

May I ask how you found the year? Am I missing a chart or identifier?

 

[J-wagon]

From what I understand around 1940 to 1956 Snyder bikes two digit year in reverse with two letters. So 14 EH = 1941 Excelsior Michigan City Indiana factory.

 

[Oilit]

Cleveland Welding built a lot of Hawthornes, but this one was built by Snyder. The "steps" where the frame tubes go into the bottom bracket are a sure tell.

 

[MelissaF]

Thanks, everyone!!

 

[J-wagon]

this one was built by Snyder. The "steps" where the frame tubes go into the bottom bracket are a sure tell.

Nice tip on tell!