Prewar Elgin date/ID

[Eddy2dice]

Hi, I'm looking to date/ID this prewar Elgin I just bought, was sold to me as a cardinal but I don't know how reliable that is.
Ignore the English bars, I bought this from an English airforce base so it's been a little anglified!
These are rare here in England so any info anyone can give me that'd be great!
I have no more pics for now as I haven't collected it yet!
If anyone can also help with any of the missing parts (mostly the fork truss-rod, skiptooth chain & pedals) that'd be ace!!

Many thanks, Eddy



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[Rustinkerer]

That's a tough one! Most Elgins were built by Westfield, 1920s-1938. But, they didn't use J in their serial #s during those years. And, if it was originally a balloon tire bike, it'd be 1933 or later. Elgins used that badge through '35-6. -Adam

 

[Eddy2dice]

Thanks, there's a couple of other odd things, it has chrome old style ribbed fender and chrome fork which I've not seen on one of these, also a hub drum brake on the front, could this be a factory upgrade or a replacement pair of wheels?


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[Rustinkerer]

Drum brake wheel is later. Fork, not sure, but the "rain gutter" fender is period, if not original. -adam

 

[Eddy2dice]

Front wheel rim is correct for period but been rebuilt later with an English sturmey archer hub brake.
Although the tyres are period they are very close to frame & fork making me think it should have 28" wheels!? :-s


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[Phil Fink]

I thought that Westfield might have used J serial prefixes in ~1931?
I have what I believe is a K serial prefix ~1932 Westfield-built Mead 28" wheels, with similar chrome forks, (well similar - but a lot less 'dazzling' chrome).

Some signs of a Westfield build are pinned brazed joints, notched seat tube clamp bolt, and a fish-mouth joint at the lower top bar to seat tube.