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Please i.d. boys highwheel bicycle

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Craig Allen

Finally riding a big boys bike
Can someone please help identify this bike and an approximate year. The wheels are 37"
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Wow Craig, very interesting open head with lug work, peaked rims, and exposed pedal axles. The spokes must be nutted at the rim. Looks very early, so I'd rule out American, at least by one of the big companies. Are the threads Whitworth? Metric? Is there any bronze in the bearings/bushings? What are your thoughts?
 
My first thoughts were it is one of the principal toy builders like Western Wheel Works, Otto, or St. Nicholas. It has cast steel parts, not iron, so it is a very well built bike for the rough and tumble. There are no bronze bearings, just plain steel. The threads are Whitworth. The spokes are interesting as they are headed in the recesses of the hub flanges and thread into the V shaped rims. There doesn't appear to be any markings at this point. Thanks for any help.
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Craig,

It may be an Otto Improved Bicycle made by the John Wilkinson Company in Chicago. Not sure if this company later became Western Wheel Works. Here is 1885 catalog cover and page showing Otto Improved Bicycle:

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This unmarked bicycle that sold at October 19, 2013 Copake Auction:
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This is an unmarked bicycle that I sold a few years ago. I think it was 36" front wheel. Some similarities to yours but hubs are different:
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Craig,

It may be an Otto Improved Bicycle made by the John Wilkinson Company in Chicago. Not sure if this company later became Western Wheel Works. Here is 1885 catalog cover and page showing Otto Improved Bicycle:

View attachment 712744

View attachment 712745

This unmarked bicycle that sold at October 19, 2013 Copake Auction:
View attachment 712746

This is an unmarked bicycle that I sold a few years ago. I think it was 36" front wheel. Some similarities to yours but hubs are different:
View attachment 712747

Hello Craig & Jeff,

Except for the hubs your {Jeff's white & Craig's} bikes look identical ..

Perhaps someone may have thoughts on this child's high bike too ?

Yes, paint job has got to go !

Glenn
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