Prewar Hawthorne with a Dana 3 speed

[Salt Flat Cycles]

I picked up this weird bike that someone customized. The guy I bought it from was in his 70’s and he said it was his wife’s uncle’s bike. So it’s probably been like this for a while. Looks like the frame and maybe the bars and forks are original. Most of the other parts look like they can off a 60’s middleweight. The banana seat has troxel MX stamped on it. I actually took it for a spin and the Dana is working and shifting good. There’s not enough bike there to bring back so I’ll probably throw some parts at it to make it a mild custom that better suits my tastes. Not totally sure if the Dana will stay or not.

My knowledge on these is pretty limited. Is there a way to date it? Here’s a serial number but it’s hard to read.

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Might be a 1939–H.

 

[Salt Flat Cycles]

Might be a 1939-H.

Thanks. It does look like an h at the first. Is that what indicates the year? Who manufactured this frame?

 

[Archie Sturmer]

Yes, I believe so; Snyder was not the only manufacturer to stamp an alphabetical date code.
https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/post-pics-of-your-fastback-zep-hawthorne-or-rollfast.53969/
Letters from the first third of the alphabet may be found stamped on bikes from the westerly Excelsior Michigan City factory, which was closer to Montgomery Wards in Chicago.