Late To The Party
Look Ma, No Hands!
With some sleuthing, the help of fellow atlanta resident @dasberger and old posts of many CABErs I have identified a frame I picked up a few weekends ago. I am now confident it is Snyder built and was originally American Flyer labeled even though the head badge is missing. I can see the adhesive from the original down tube gilding in UV and though its worn and damaged it is easy to read to identify it when you figure it out (purple toned UV shots included). The crank/sprocket is chrome and the rest of the fittings are nickel,so an obvious replacement and it is marked M&S 39 (manton and smith 1939). Stem is Japanese. The fork is really beat/bent, the tube is cracked and dented, the lower bearing cup seems to be the wrong size and I'm pretty sure somebody took a torch to it but I am confident I can save it, I've got the tools and metal working skill. The serial number on the BB is 80543. I certainly see a lightly stamped mark to the left of the 8; but it is not something I recognize, one of you might know it but its hard to photo with a low end cell phone. Badge holes are horizontal, 1 5/8 on centers with the right hole about 1/8" above the left as viewed from the front. No badge ghost as all the white paint from the darts is missing from there. Seat tube 13/16" ID. Frame is 22" from center of BB to top of seat tube. Fender arches are inset into the seat/chain stays; not surface brazed/welded.
Thanks @chitown for this image from 1918 posted in the archbar thread. Mine seems to match the image perfectly. Thus I am guessing 1918. Would a serial number in the 80xxx range work for that dating? Help here appreciated.
Here is the UV shots of the American Flyer script on the down tube, the Flyer part has a lot of damage but in person it is clearer to read.
This is what it looks like in regular lighting, not much to go on.
Here is an image of a Flyer badge that the seller measured the spacing and it should fit. I don't have a lot of money to spend on this hobby so I really want to be sure this is the right one as its pricey. Anybody have one? Does it look 1918-1920ish?
This is going to take a long while, will be seeking advice and opinions along the journey. Thanks in advance for any help and all the past posts put out there that has lead me to here.
Larry
Thanks @chitown for this image from 1918 posted in the archbar thread. Mine seems to match the image perfectly. Thus I am guessing 1918. Would a serial number in the 80xxx range work for that dating? Help here appreciated.
Here is the UV shots of the American Flyer script on the down tube, the Flyer part has a lot of damage but in person it is clearer to read.
This is what it looks like in regular lighting, not much to go on.
Here is an image of a Flyer badge that the seller measured the spacing and it should fit. I don't have a lot of money to spend on this hobby so I really want to be sure this is the right one as its pricey. Anybody have one? Does it look 1918-1920ish?
This is going to take a long while, will be seeking advice and opinions along the journey. Thanks in advance for any help and all the past posts put out there that has lead me to here.
Larry