Hi all, I bought this ladies mainly because I liked the handlebars but used other parts for my klunker build. I would really like to id the frame. Attached are various pics, hoping for assistance. This is what I know so far: 26" wheels, rear musselman hub date code L diamond, 1946. Cranks stamped "46 S 4." Front hub I believe was made by Torrington (pic currently mounted on my klunker). Handlebars Torrington Dallas. There are three rows of alphanumeric on BB I'm not familiar with configuration. Thoughts?
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Mystery bike 1946
- Thread starter J-wagon
- Start date
Steve Baltera
Finally riding a big boys bike
Mid 40s Murray /J C Higgins.Murray made frames for jc higgins
Archie Sturmer
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Agree about the Murray build and early post war patented design.
The 9A4 stamp might hint at Firestone tire stores as the retailer, same for the 179-6(?).
Murray’s odd 21 stamp may indicate a girl’s base model.
Not sure if this has already been posted but the 100-numbers might indicate the bicycle manufacturer for Firestone tire stores, thinking maybe:
178–Huffman
179–Murray
180–Monark
And the dash—6 for the year, 1946?
The 9A4 stamp might hint at Firestone tire stores as the retailer, same for the 179-6(?).
Murray’s odd 21 stamp may indicate a girl’s base model.
Not sure if this has already been posted but the 100-numbers might indicate the bicycle manufacturer for Firestone tire stores, thinking maybe:
178–Huffman
179–Murray
180–Monark
And the dash—6 for the year, 1946?
Last edited:
Thx all, based on Murray Firestone I found this thread :
Post in thread 'How to date my Firestone Pilot bike.' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/how-to-date-my-firestone-pilot-bike.98944/post-638963
Thread indicates Murray built Firestone was one year only, 1947, maybe was badged as Firestone Pilot?
Post in thread 'How to date my Firestone Pilot bike.' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/how-to-date-my-firestone-pilot-bike.98944/post-638963
Thread indicates Murray built Firestone was one year only, 1947, maybe was badged as Firestone Pilot?
Ok. Additional search for "179-6 21x2" yields more verification of Murray built Firestone Pilot model.
Post in thread 'How to date my Firestone Pilot bike.' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/how-to-date-my-firestone-pilot-bike.98944/post-638963
Post in thread 'How to date my Firestone Pilot bike.' https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/how-to-date-my-firestone-pilot-bike.98944/post-638963
Archie Sturmer
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Below is yet another thread showing a Murray-built Firestone girl’s bicycle, it was stamped dash “—7” perhaps for the year 1947(?). https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/someone-id-these-bicycles-for-me-please.9133/
It shows the ridged tank used on the higher-end (23-stamp) models.
Some members like to verify the year of bikes based on paper — that is the documentation in catalog pictures, versus the non-paper artifacts.
Perhaps your bike might be a later 1946 Murray build for the 1947 Firestone catalog year(?). (I do not recall seeing the catalogs).
For these “December—January” bicycles sometimes it may be difficult what year to call them.
I have a December 1985 (5L) bicycle with a paint scheme (imperial red) which was new for the 1986 catalog model; I think of it as a 1985/86 slash-year bicycle.
It shows the ridged tank used on the higher-end (23-stamp) models.
Some members like to verify the year of bikes based on paper — that is the documentation in catalog pictures, versus the non-paper artifacts.
Perhaps your bike might be a later 1946 Murray build for the 1947 Firestone catalog year(?). (I do not recall seeing the catalogs).
For these “December—January” bicycles sometimes it may be difficult what year to call them.
I have a December 1985 (5L) bicycle with a paint scheme (imperial red) which was new for the 1986 catalog model; I think of it as a 1985/86 slash-year bicycle.
I thought that Scott was the guy with all of the Firestone catalogs(?).
Last edited:
Ok. I'll go with it as 1946/47 Murray built Firestone. Perhaps Pilot. Mystery good enough solved! Thx!
Are these bars still available?
Adamtinkerer
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
Firestone and Hiawathas both had their own unique internal number/coding systems.
Similar threads
-
- Locked
- Locked
