What model Schwinn is this?

[BrianInPA]

Fantastic! What a treat. Given the clues, your bike must be a 1949. I have done a little more research and, even though there is no concrete proof, the model number would be best called out as DB-12 as I have documentary evidence of the Model DB-13 on a dated partial price list Effective June 1, 1949. There is no good explanation for what appears to be scuff marks where a tank might have been, but that is one of those historic realities we can't control. Speculating on that is pointless.

On close examination of the 1950 Schwinn Dealer Catalog art work, the straight bar on the 1950 D-13 and the 1950 D-12 is attached to the seat tubes and down tubes respectively in the same way as is seen in my photographic example, a 1951 Hornet with serial number stamped on the BB.

I'm glad you found the bike. It is unique, almost totally original and definitely a keeper, unless of course you think you should sell it to me.

All the best,
Kit

Oh, one last thought; the serial number on your bike was stamped just 4 days before the death of our champion, Ignaz Schwinn.

Thank you for the research and all of the information you have provided! I started doing some cleaning tonight and it should really look great then I'm done. The rear tire had a blow out prior to me getting it, but I think I can find a decent Goodyear G3 tire for it. Hope to get it out on the bike trail soon!

 

[BrianInPA]

This bike is like the missing link between 1948 and 1949! First one I’ve seen with a brazed on smaller 7/8” tube with a 1948 serial number, Hi-Tensile Schwinn tubular s2’s, and a crank sprocket that’s not seen until 49! Truly a great find!!

Glad I took a chance on it, it has been on FBM for a long time at $250. It's cleaning up really nice so far!

 

[AS-1]

Thank you for the research and all of the information you have provided! I started doing some cleaning tonight and it should really look great then I'm done. The rear tire had a blow out prior to me getting it, but I think I can find a decent Goodyear G3 tire for it. Hope to get it out on the bike trail soon!

My pleasure!

 

[BrianInPA]

On first produced S2's the knurling is on the inside of the rim. You'll need to take off the tire and rim strip to see it. I see no indication in your pictures that there is knurling on the outside face of the rim.
The face knurling location was not out from center of the rim to where it would be underneath the paint pins.

View attachment 2237925

Wonder if it is just the way the stripe was applied, it looks like it has a little serrated edge to it but it's very faint.

 

[GTs58]

Brian is holding the rim and has stated that he sees knurling. Isn't that enough?

Sorry, no it's not. No trace in his pictures and usually they are filled with paint and not visible. If they are very deep, then they may show up thru the paint. If these were the first S-2's the knurling will be on the inside of the rim.

 

[BrianInPA]

Worked on cleaning it up a little this evening, looking pretty good so far!

 

[AS-1]

Sorry, no it's not. No trace in his pictures and usually they are filled with paint and not visible. If they are very deep, then they may show up thru the paint. If these were the first S-2's the knurling will be on the inside of the rim.

I don't know that that helps us much. Every S-2 I've ever seen was knurled on the inside. The key to the ranch is whether or not it is knurled on the outside and Brian says that it is.

 

[AS-1]

Worked on cleaning it up a little this evening, looking pretty good so far!

View attachment 2237950

Brian, I just saw two holes in the top of the front fender. Is one of the holes round and the other one oval?

 

[Porkchop & Applesauce]

The bolt on pieces are all changeable how ever the 1948 vin number and the brazed smaller bar are not. That’s what makes this bike so unique for me! The stamping on the s2’s are also unusual and to my eye look like a no knurle rim. With the letter stamping being so clear and prominent one would think that the knurled marks would be too.

 

[Porkchop & Applesauce]

This friendly debate can go on and on but ya found an unusual bike with some cool anomaly’s that you can be sure of! That one’s a keeper!