Schwinn 1952 24" Spitfire Questions. Help & Thoughts Please

[mike1117]

Looking for a little help here. Just picked up this bike. Mainly a Stingray bike collector, I am not knowledgeable about balloon tire bikes but thought this was a cool looking bike. Got if from a nice gentleman that said he purchased it in the 80's, in storage most of the time since then he said, and he also said it was a 1952 bike, year he was born, which is why he bought it back them. I get frustrated when people post on here thinking we are an AI type app and put on a single photo of a bike asking what do I have and what is it worth. No serial #, one photo if that, no effort to find out what they have. Well I spent a few hours yesterday searching on this site Schwinn Spitfire and found out a lot, but still have some questions if that is OK, and here we go....

Serial # is A98122, read where they used duplicate #'s in 1952 and 1953. I think by looking at my bike and some of the features it might be a 1952, might I be correct, any ideas on correct year?
Also wondering since the head badge is worn, did this badge have Schwinn written anywhere on it perhaps in a spot where paint is worn off?

It looks like from some photos of others I saw that the chainguard decal/sticker is correct?

The metal license plate, VA MINN. Minnesota I suppose, is VA a town, veterans affair or other type of abbreviation, real curious about that.

It has the New Departure Hub. Tires are made in USA older tires but not matching. Bike looks pretty original to me but I have posted a lot of photos to see if anyone sees anything about this bike that would be of interest to me or any bike person. Looks like a Spitfire was a Schwinn entry level/thrifty type model back then. I am thinking this bike I have is perhaps now a $150-$250 bike but would like to hear from people familiar with these bikes what they might estimate as the present day value. Thanks. Mike.

 

[mrg]

Cool bike Mike, my first bike was a 24 in. DX, think your close on everything, Spitfire was the thrift model with bolt on kickstand, stamped neck etc., tough on value, not much call unless you have a kid or like riding 24’s

 

[GTs58]

That is a nice complete original piece. I wonder if that license plate was actually installed at the time that was purchased. The strapping looks newer and might tell if inspected closer. I'm going to say that's a 1953 model. Prior to 1953 the higher end models were the only ones that had chain guard name decals while the lower end of the line did not. Then in 1953 Schwinn's complete line finally got chain guard decals or a name decal. Also, 1953 ushered in the use of the rolled stems and bolt on kick stands. That Spitfire head badge was first use on the prewar Spitfire Z models which was a promo model for Schwinn. The Spitfire name was brought back in 53 and with that badge. In 1954 the Hornets were also equipped with that Spitfire badge being another promotional model. Your pricing is plausible IMO.

 

[Wolfmac]

Great looking little spitfire. Kudos for your diligence in researching on your own prior to posting. I have a couple early post war 24” bikes also as they make for fun projects although piecing one together is never economical.

The only thing I would call into question would be the 1/2 pitch gear set up. Budget models typically came equipped with 1” pitch sprockets and chain. It certainly could have been converted over at any time however. The grips have the early post war oval and your bike falls into the period when the teardrop grip was introduced. Perhaps on the cusp of the transition. Neither of those details take away from the originality of your bike though. I think you’re correct on your valuation in the $250 range. Cheers!

 

[acg_schwinn]

That Spitfire head badge was first use on the prewar Spitfire Z models which was a promo model for Schwinn. The Spitfire name was brought back in 53 and with that badge. In 1954 the Hornets were also equipped with that Spitfire badge being another promotional model. Your pricing is plausible IMO.

It's interesting that the background on that badge looks to represent a radial aircraft propeller engine (though maybe not directly inspired by the Spitfire fighter, which used an inline engine). The whole bike industry would go bonkers for jet-fighter imagery in the 1950s, but this one looks to be maybe one of the last before that new look took over.