Searching for year and date of Schwinn Black Phantom

[marc x]

I’m stumped, I purchased a frankenPhantom. It was sold to me as an anniversary Phantom and it is in pristine restored condition, here is where my confusion comes from. I flipped the bike over to see what number it was, but it was lacking all the centennial writing and instead it has just the serial number B77276 which in my research came back a 1946. Is that possible or did someone paint a balloon tire cantilever frame like a black phantom? Did they even make Black Phantoms that early?
It’s got me completely stumped and I know that someone here will have the answer for me.
Thanks
Marc x

 

[AS-1]

Please post a clear picture of the serial number

 

[Robert Troub]

I’m stumped, I purchased a frankenPhantom. It was sold to me as an anniversary Phantom and it is in pristine restored condition, here is where my confusion comes from. I flipped the bike over to see what number it was, but it was lacking all the centennial writing and instead it has just the serial number B77276 which in my research came back a 1946. Is that possible or did someone paint a balloon tire cantilever frame like a black phantom? Did they even make Black Phantoms that early?
It’s got me completely stumped and I know that someone here will have the answer for me.
Thanks
Marc x

View attachment 2246692

I believe 1949 was the first year of the Black Phantom

 

[Freqman1]

The earliest I have seen the Phantom advertised was the second week of August 1949. Generally speaking just about any post war canti ballooner frame can be built into a Phantom.

 

[AS-1]

Your serial number would suggest that the bike was built in late March of 1952, but for it to have been built then, the number should be found on the rear drop out. A picture of the number will help.

 

[GTs58]

The B serial numbers on the BB would be found on early post war frames.

 

[AS-1]

The B serial numbers on the BB would be found on early post war frames.

Yes, if the serial number is on the BB, the frame really has to be pre-1948. I'm hoping OP will post a picture of the #.

I just looked at the frame again and I swear the sprag looks tapered but the housing assembly looks newer. Am I blind?

 

[GTs58]

The stand is not tapered. Plus, it’s not CAD plated it’s shiny like the reproduction fender braces.

 

[GTs58]

@marc x
Have you had time to check this Phantom out a little closer? From the one picture you supplied it looks like a decent Phantom build using lots of Anniversary Phantom parts on a 1946-47 frame. Is that a Schwinn small flange forebrake the builder possibly didn't have time, or the rest of the parts needed to set it up? Does the rear carrier have a notch out at the rear for the light lens?

 

[marc x]

Here’s the serial number and a picture of the kickstand. I know it’s a frankenphantom, I was just trying to get as much information about it as possible. The tank and fenders are definitely repop as well as a lot of other parts, it looks good from afar but the closer you get the easier it is to see what isn’t right about it.