Possible war time production original Elgin

[MDave]

They made a "Deluxe equipped"with a truss mounted wedge light and brake light/tail light seat bottom mounted pod..
And an "equipped" like mine (shown below)
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Beautiful condition

 

[MDave]

Right. I'm talking about the restrictions on civilian bikes. You needed to have a signed Office of Price Administration certificate to be able to buy a new civilian bike.
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Very interesting

 

[chitown]

Here's some other years catalogs to compare. '43 they only show lightweights.


1940



1941

1942

1943

 

[Nashman]

Yep!
The hole at 10 O’Clock in the back fender is a dead giveaway that this one had the pod brake/tail light.
So it would’ve had the trussrod wedge light as well.
There are faint remnants of the painted handlebar pinstripes still visible.
Super cool bikes!

I saw that hole as well, just didn't connect the dots as I wasn't familiar with the deluxe model with wedgie and pod. Very cool bike, as is @bikesnbuses. I have owned some interesting Elgins in that time period, still have my Deluxe 4 star Twin Bar I restored back in the 80's/bought project at Hershey. Another clever observation @cyclingday on the faint white stripe on the handlebars. You guys are good!

 

[Miq]

Here's some other years catalogs to compare. '43 they only show lightweights.


1940

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1941





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1942

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1943
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@chitown that 43 catalog is great! Has a bunch of info on the rationing certificates. Thanks for posting! The rationed wartime bikes are diamond framed with all blackout/painted parts, no chainguards, no kickstands.

 

[Miq]

The Stars and Stripes details on the fenders and fork are great. Like the ones in the 41 catalog and Shawn's 42 Sears catalog.

 

[Miq]

I can see this being a late 41 or early 42 bike. Sold before the strict restrictions took effect. The paint is in great shape, even on the wheels.

 

[Sportyworty]

It likely has a serial and dated hub
I have an equipped boys Elgin with a 41 serial and 3rd quarter 41 hub. All before the war era builds.

 

[GTs58]

It likely has a serial and dated hub
I have an equipped boys Elgin with a 41 serial and 3rd quarter 41 hub. All before the war era builds.
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I'm really surprised the OP didn't post up pictures of all the stampings at the beginning of this thread!

 

[MDave]

I'm really surprised the OP didn't post up pictures of all the stampings at the beginning of this thread!

Sorry yes. Should have done so