Schwinn Bottom Bracket Number

[rrtbike]

Anybody able to tell what this is?
I can't figure this one out. Its a ballooner with AS Springer fork.
I can't figure out the number to determine the year.
Thank you.

 

[deorman]

I'd hazard a guess at mid 1940s based on the ring and number not on the post 47 listing. Check the crank, it's probably original and may have a date.

 

[rrtbike]

Thank you! What do you think the first letter would be?

 

[Wildcat]

If that's an F, Oct 19, 1949 is the date.

Judging by the paint on the downtube, it may be an Autocycle.

 

[rrtbike]

Yes...has the diamonds on the seat tube and the scallops off the headtube sort of like a Phantom.
Great info @Wildcat ... Thank you too!

 

[Wildcat]

You should be able to see the letter better by cleaning it up. A 2 digit year on the crank will verify the year. And also the original color should show on the inside of the bottom bracket and inside the head tube. There's not much catalog from 1949, so it may be a Phantom or an Autocycle.

Is this your bike?

 

[rrtbike]

Belongs to my brother in law. I believe it was his dads when he was young. It would make an awesome rat build wouldn't it?

 

[RustySprockets]

A little Turtle Wax will polish those bars right up!

 

[Wildcat]

You could make it a rat on the cheap. Have your bro-in-law get an old 26" beach cruiser, and transfer the wheels and handlebars right over. Or get some cool wheels and tires. You might need to buy a chain. Put a seat pad on the old seat, it looks pretty solid. A cleaning of the frame will bring out the paint and there you go! I have a 53 but the paint was gone when I got it in 1979, otherwise it would have been a perfect rat.