Schwinn LIBERTY BADGE
Most everyone may be familiar with the acid-etched, Schwinn Liberty badge .. as shown in the foto, below..
But ... are you aware of a much-earlier specimen of Schwinn Liberty badge ?? What sets the older specimen apart from
the newer-artifact in the Liberty-foto (below) is the knowledge that the EARLIEST example of this badge design was carried
on a stamped-copper sheet .. AND .. this earlier specimen was much, much thicker than necessary for an acid-etched badge.
I have often wondered if these earlier Schwinn Liberty badges were ever intended to hold finely-ground, colored glass ..
and fired at fairly-tall temperatures .. much like the Sear's Chief badge. For more information regarding the unification
of finely-ground, colored glass - copper and fire ... peep the term ... CHAMPLEVE .. using your favorite search engine.
Although this typist does not have knowledge of the exact moment in time the Schwinn Liberty badge was installed on a
Schwinn bicycle ... one aspect does ring a bell ... the Davis-Built, Sear's-Distributed VICTOR has the SAME outline-shape
as the Schwinn Liberty .. AND .. the VICTOR was NOT MADE to hold paint (being of very-thick copper sheet) ... it was made
to contain fired, green-colored glass, as one aspect of its identity.
Ah .. how quickly the enlightened, human mind wants to draw a conclusion.
Pause .. and know this ... Much More Research Is Indicated, before any scholarly conclusions can ever be reached.
.............. patric cafaro
post script ... sorry, I do not have a sample of the early, Schwinn Liberty badge.