Westfield Frame Numbers 1933 - 1945

[Mercian]

Hi @papercitytools

Thank you too for your contribution. It is appreciated.

F63992 / H5. As you've worked out, the frame was made May 1941, and the serial number shows it was built up soon after.

The Musselman brake wasn't common on Westfield built bicycles, but I have another Elgin listed just before yours badged with the same chainwheel, musselman break, and generally similar to yours F22732 / H3 of @615Wheels https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/elgin-id.166941/#post-1130303

The red paint on both may be the same.

F38933 / H3 of @Euphman06 is closer to yours. It has the same chainwheel, but I don't know the headbadge or rear brake. It does, however, have a rear drop stand, so these were still in use at this time. https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/my-new-elgin-year-help.72758/#post-450319

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[papercitytools]

Hi @elginkid

Thanks for your contribution. Yes, this list is very much being maintained. It is currently around 650 surviving examples from 1910 to 1945. which does lead to the question of how best to provide an update. Suggestions welcome...

I was on holiday when you posted, and missed it, sorry.

N106207 / B8 has a frame made in August 1935, and built up soon after.

Westfield were producing for Elgin at this point, and a lot of 'own brand' badges such as yours.

The closest Lady survivor I have listed is N108882 / B3 (I suspect a badly stamped B8) of @mike j , which is badges Miami.

The nearest Lady Columbus survivor is from 1936, by @genesmachines post 134 here: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/westfield-frame-numbers-1933-1945.100743/page-14

The colour scheme is close to what you describe on yours.

Best Regards,

Adrian

I think you replied to the wrong person/post.

 

[Mercian]

I think you replied to the wrong person/post.

Hi @papercitytools

I just replied to them in the order they arrived, no problem (-:

Is the information of use to you?

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[elginkid]

I have three other bikes that when I’m around them, I’ll submit them for your registry!

 

[Mercian]

Hi @elginkid

Thanks for the thought, I look forward to it. (-:

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[papercitytools]

Hi @papercitytools

I just replied to them in the order they arrived, no problem (-:

Is the information of use to you?

Best Regards,

Adrian

LOL... The way the notification appeared on my phone made it look like you were replying to me with his response. I see what happened.

And yes, thank you! It was definitely helpful. I'm in Holyoke, MA which is just over 10 miles from the Westfield/Columbia factory. I never knew the crazy number of bikes produced there under so many different brands until about a month ago when I bought my Columbia Fire Arrow.

 

[elginkid]

I have the next bike to list: F2481(355?) / H2
Elgin Badge, with a seemingly late hanging tank.

 

[Mercian]

Hi @elginkid

Thanks for the follow up.. (-:

F24815 (3?) / H2. The frame was made in February 1941, and serial numbers were only five numbers long early in the year, so I'm convinced it's F2481X. To my mind (and human nature), I think the X number is 5, because it's been stamped twice, I think to obliterate the 3. Of course it could be 3, we'll never know.

The closest survivor I have listed is Elgin F22732 / H3, of @615Wheels probably built up a little earlier the same week.

Note that although this has an earlier serial number, it has a March 1941 frame build date, so yours can't have been built up until March 1941 (and it possibly means they were both built early March).

Elgin ID | Classic Balloon Tire Bicycles 1933-1965

Hello, Any thoughts on the year of this Elgin? I don’t have a serial number. Not sure what is mounted on the fork. Also does it look to be original? Any information would be appreciated! thanks

thecabe.com

Several of the bikes I have noted for this period have Musselman rear hubs as standard. This is unusual for Westfield, and only seems to have happened in the first half of 1941. Does yours?

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[elginkid]

Hi @elginkid

Thanks for the follow up.. (-:

F24815 (3?) / H2. The frame was made in February 1941, and serial numbers were only five numbers long early in the year, so I'm convinced it's F2481X. To my mind (and human nature), I think the X number is 5, because it's been stamped twice, I think to obliterate the 3. Of course it could be 3, we'll never know.

The closest survivor I have listed is Elgin F22732 / H3, of @615Wheels probably built up a little earlier the same week.

Note that although this has an earlier serial number, it has a March 1941 frame build date, so yours can't have been built up until March 1941 (and it possibly means they were both built early March).

Elgin ID | Classic Balloon Tire Bicycles 1933-1965

Hello, Any thoughts on the year of this Elgin? I don’t have a serial number. Not sure what is mounted on the fork. Also does it look to be original? Any information would be appreciated! thanks

thecabe.com

Several of the bikes I have noted for this period have Musselman rear hubs as standard. This is unusual for Westfield, and only seems to have happened in the first half of 1941. Does yours?

Best Regards,

Adrian

It had the Elgin “air cooled” hubs, which I believe were built by Musselman.

 

[elginkid]