Mercury Hiawatha??

[MTGeorge]

I normally wouldn't pick up a repainted AMF middleweight but something about this one caught my eye. I initially hoped it was sporting a Shelby ornament but I quickly realized this head doesn't look like the Shelbys in my collection. I believe it is the Mercury version but my question is this... We're these exclusive to the Hiawatha branded pacemakers or did other Mercury models sport them as well?

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Mercury was once a Murray badge, which they gave up for plain Murray badges, perhaps for better company name recognition for the Cleveland-based company.

 

[MTGeorge]

So do we think this fender ornament came on other Murray built Hiawathas or are they exclusive to Pacemakers ?

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Difficult to say where the Gambles Hiawatha ornament came from, but it does look vintage (some more-shiny ones may have been reproduced).

Below is a thread showing an AMF Roadmaster Skyrider.

AMF Roadmaster Skyrider Deluxe - Info help please? | General Discussion About Old Bicycles

I stumbled across this AMF Roadmaster Skyrider Deluxe and picked it up. I don't know anything about them. Any insight as to manufacturer, age, etc., would be appreciated. I'm hoping there's some life left in the original paint. It appears to be all original and complete (?) with the exception...

thecabe.com

Not sure if yours may have a tank from a ladies bicycle, or just the standard version(no tank lights)?

Below is a link to a (Murray) Mercury Pacemaker, fairly deluxe with a different front fender ornament.

1941 Mercury Pacemaker Deluxe -

The Mercury Pacemaker was designed by renowned industrial designer Viktor Schreckengost who designed everything from cab-over trucks to lawn chairs to dinner ware. Variations of this model were made from 1939 when it was introduced as the ‘official bike’ of the New York World’s Fair until 1941...

vintageamericanbicycles.com

 

[kreika]

That ornament came on 39-42 Murray built and marketed for Gambles Department Store brand name Hiawatha bicycles. Never seen one on a postwar bike. I think someone embellished there bike. Looks cool!

 

[MTGeorge]

Just to clarify... I am 100% sure it was added to this AMF era middleweight. I am curious if it came on any of the other Hiawatha badged Murray's besides the Pacemaker.

 

[kreika]

I’m gonna go with no. Reason being these ornaments existed on that style bike because they had tank lights. Shelby’s version was larger on the Arrow. As Gambles sourced from many companies maybe there is a bike out there?

 

[JRE]

That fender ornament goes on a prewar Hiawatha.most likely a Hiawatha Arrow

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Not to be confused with a "Pierce Arrow".

 

[MTGeorge]

For those curious here are side by side pics of the Mercury/Murray and the Shelby versions. While certainly similar at first glance they are different in nearly every detail from the base, to the headdress, to the earpiece, to the neck length and even the facial features.

The Shelby is also slightly larger and they mount at a different angle. If someone has a Hiawatha version of the bike in need of the ornament please reach out so I can either sell you the ornament or buy your bike.

....also I purchased the Skyrider just for this ornament so if someone would like the rest of the bike I am happy to move it along for a bargain.