Prewar schwinn serial list

[jpthebikeguy]

Very nice piece! A Superior Racer!?? The serial numbers on the lightweights with the 3 piece cranks only had 4 digits after the letter during that time. And they were hand stamped verses being machine stamped like the lightweights with the one piece crank. Check out @Miq 's thread.

Wartime Schwinn New World Bikes - We Know You Have Them - Tell Us About Them!! | Lightweight Schwinn Bicycles

Please help us gather some more info on wartime Schwinn New Worlds (or other lightweights). We know many of you have these unique bikes and they all have an interesting story to tell. We are already starting to get an idea of what serial number New Worlds have the transition from brazing to...

thecabe.com

Thank you for the info! I'm consigning this for the grandson of the original owner. As far as we can tell it's got all the original Schwinn Superior parts still. The current owner recalls having to take the bike off the wall to dust it when he was a kid!

 

[SKPC]

Questions and more questions.. According to the data I have seen on Schwinn pre-33 serial numbers, not much seems to be out there that goes further back. This surprises me as most attention is generously focused on the post-1933 bicycles built in much larger numbers. The earlier depression-era cycles made during a rough time in American History is somewhat unvetted. Even when down and out, the bike makers continued making them but at very limited numbers, Schwinn included. How many during the depression?
There seems to be missing and/or made up numbers regarding the Schwinn serial numbers pre-1933. 33 back to 28 limited? Below is what seems to have been generally accepted for pre-31 bikes. It appears a guess. Can anyone chime in here with confidence that the numbers in orange/red are simply a guess or not? The numbers appear totally contrived.

1933-46,000 frames. #'s 477,000 to 522,999
1932-17,000 frames. #'s 459,847 to 476,999
1931-14,800 frames. #'s 445,000 to 459846

1930- 9,999 frames. #'s 435,000 to 444,999
1929- 9,999 frames. #'s 425,000 to 434,999
1928- 9,999 frames. #'s 415,000 to 424.999

1927- Missing?
1926- Missing
1925- Missing
1920-1925-?

 

[JO BO]

So where does this Schwinn fit in? Serial number 327894....looks 20 ish

Has wrong crank/ring and saddle

 

[GTs58]

Can anyone date this serial number or the bike? I'm not boned up on pieces this old but it has a Schwinn head badge. Serial is only 4 digits starting with a Screw Driver stamp.

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Freqman1]

I’d be inclined to say ‘33. Can you pull the crank? V/r Shawn

 

[GTs58]

I’d be inclined to say ‘33. Can you pull the crank? V/r Shawn

It very well could be. What I was thinking since Schwinn pre stamped the serials is this is one of the first stamped 34's (in 1933) with no preceding letter and then they added a letter shortly thereafter. This bike matches the 34 specs for a B10E and looks like all the good parts have been harvested. It's not mine and I'm trying to help a lady find out what this is and what it's worth.

 

[Freqman1]

B9/10E first introduced in '33 https://thecabe.com/articles/the-first-american-balloon-tire-bicycle/
My explanation of prewar serials here https://vintageamericanbicycles.com/index.php/schwinn/

 

[GTs58]

B9/10E first introduced in '33 https://thecabe.com/articles/the-first-american-balloon-tire-bicycle/
My explanation of prewar serials here https://vintageamericanbicycles.com/index.php/schwinn/

Thanks for the links.

Serial number aside, the info on the 1933 B10 states fenders are chrome. The fenders on this piece are obviously stainless and the chain ring is not the typical sweetheart and it's a match to the 1934 model catalog image. What chain ring was used or shown on the 1933 model? Seems there was a vast selection of rings in the early years.

Just checked, looks like the 33 model used the same ring.

 

[REC]

I’d be inclined to say ‘33. Can you pull the crank? V/r Shawn

Looks like a '33 number to me as well. I have a similar number showing on another '33 with 4 digits, though both of my '33's have one more digit on them.
REC

If my memory serves me correctly, I have an old article here somewhere regarding this particular subject. I'll see if I can find it later today.

 

[Freqman1]

Thanks for the links.

Serial number aside, the info on the 1933 B10 states fenders are chrome. The fenders on this piece are obviously stainless and the chain ring is not the typical sweetheart and it's a match to the 1934 model catalog image. What chain ring was used or shown on the 1933 model? Seems there was a vast selection of rings in the early years.

Just checked, looks like the 33 model used the same ring.

I know the '33 specs call for a chrome plated fender but I'm thinking that Schwinn may have moved to a stainless fender sometime during '33 production. Just a hunch and nothing more but based on the relative scarcity of chrome plated fenders. Most other mfr's at this time used stainless as well. You will find different chain rings on the early bikes as well so cat illustrations aren't always the most helpful. As a side note I see people call all of these early bikes B10Es even the 28" bikes! As equipped the model you have is a B9 and the 28" bikes were simply the model number e.g. "Model 9" because the "B" stands for "balloon". V/r Shawn