My First Prewar Hawthorne...I Think...

[HARPO]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'll "ASSume" the bike is from roughly 1939-1941.

I just got this one today at a pre- estate sale. I saw the bike (from the back, hidden) in a photo in a corner of a garage that was going to be having a Sale this Saturday. Inquiring what it was and how much, and could he please send a couple of photos, we struck a deal and now it's mine.
The guys father was a "collector" of anything and everything. You name it, it was in the house. Something from an American Pickers episode is the best way to really describe it. His son, who is doin g the sale, said his father probably bought the bike at an auction or a garage sale way back.

The tires are petrified, and I'll need a saw to remove them. But, the entire bike appears to be completely original, including the paint and the pin-striping. I know the Troxel saddle is, along with those cool grips! Tires? Maybe...but I'll need to get a better look tomorrow.

Let me know what you think!

 

[HARPO]

...and a few more...

 

[Archie Sturmer]

1939-H serial number?

Be careful with the wire beads when sawing.

 

[HARPO]

@Archie Sturmer I'll be thrilled to know it's from 1939. Thanks!

 

[HARPO]

@Archie Sturmer Tires say WARDS RIVERSIDE MATE...AIR CUSHION. I'll assume that these are the originals, which I'll have to hacksaw off. And I have a better photo of the serial number, but I'm not sure what the letter is. Possibly an upside down F ?

But check out what's under the saddle all these years...

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Its an "A" — (coincidentally also 1939).

Maybe as in 1939-A serial number; (all the way from Little Falls, not nearby Michigan City?).

 

[HARPO]

Duh!! It is an A!!! I can't believe I didn't see that. Thank you once again!

Confirmed that it's a 1939, so I'm happy. Let the tire removal and detailing begin!

 

[HARPO]

A few more shots I just took. Rims should come out pretty nice when I'm done with them.

And as far as I can see from everything on the bike, it's all original.

 

[Oilit]

That will be a looker when you're done with it. Thanks for the pictures!

 

[HARPO]

A little cleaning and a little rubbing compound (used gently) on the front of the rear fender and seat tube to show a "before and after". Paint should look pretty good when it's all done.