What kind of bike did I just buy?

[Vintagebikelover24]

bought a bike off of panelman today, well i sent the money out today. He says it's a pre-war Mercury. I can't seem to find any type of serial number chart for them. I just need som help!!! I have no pics but the post is still in the for sale section under, "prewar mercury parts"
The serial number he gave me is:
M0483
It sure looks pre-war! but I know nothing about Mercury... All information is greatly appreciated.

Some pics panelman had posted of it.

UPDATE: removed all paint and realized the serial number is MD4828 could someone determine a year now? I'd really like to know

 

[2manybikes]

I think it is a Murray frame. MO designates Murray of Ohio.

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

I think it is a Murray frame. MO designates Murray of Ohio.

I did read that MO meant Murray of Ohio but in that same article it said that Murray made Mercury bikes...which I don't know if that's true or not.

 

[panelman]

A link to the original Sale thread before i bought it on the cabe.
http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showthread ... rcury+tank

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

A link to the original Sale thread before i bought it on the cabe.
http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showthread ... rcury+tank

Thanks for the link! I really posted this to determine the year and what headbadge I needed. The post had a picture of the headbadge :mrgreen:

 

[2manybikes]

I think it is a Murray frame. MO designates Murray of Ohio.

I did read that MO meant Murray of Ohio but in that same article it said that Murray made Mercury bikes...which I don't know if that's true or not.

Murray made bikes for a number of companies like Mercury and JC Higgins.

 

[Rustinkerer]

Mercury was what Murray originally badged it's bikes as. In the late 50s, they reused the name for budget line middleweights. There should be another letter after MO, MO-E is 1940. -Adam

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

Mercury was what Murray originally badged it's bikes as. In the late 50s, they reused the name for budget line middleweights. There should be another letter after MO, MO-E is 1940. -Adam

It doesn't seem to have a letter after the MO...I put pics up to help out

 

[dougfisk]

I have one just like it that also does not have the extra "date code" letter. Mine has a Gambles Hiawatha badge. I believe this frame was manufactured from 36 to 41. Mercury was Murray's "house brand". I believe the headbadge that was pictured in the linked thread was original to the bike.

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

I have one just like it that also does not have the extra "date code" letter. Mine has a Gambles Hiawatha badge. I believe this frame was manufactured from 36 to 41. Mercury was Murray's "house brand". I believe the headbadge that was pictured in the linked thread was original to the bike.

Okay so late 30's ish Mercury lol and now I need to buy a headbadge!

 

[dougfisk]

If your just looking for any correct headbage, I know for sure this frame came badged as Elgin, Hiawatha, Mercury, and Goodyear.

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

Updated! New info found

 

[dougfisk]

The D might indicate 1939, and then again it might not. That is roughly in the middle of my previously provided range. There is a great deal of hope MIS-placed on serial numbers of these prewar bikes. There are very few authoritative and confirmed decoding of serial numbers of any maker for any era. The pics of the bike before it was dismembered are far more meaningful than the serial number.

 

[Jpromo]

I have an SC stamped '39 Elgin, so I'd lean towards '39-40 as well. Also, notice the little scuff marks on the seat tube just behind the top tubes.. this tells me it originally had the long tank which extends past the seat tube. This long tank was first introduced in 1939 so it isn't earlier than then. Cheers!

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

Well there's the pic of my bike before it was disassembled...you're right! Long tank!

 

[raggedjim]

I probably have the Mercury head badge you need. I'll look for it tonight if you are interested in it.

Rg

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

Very interested! Just let me know

 

[raggedjim]

I'll try to get a pic of it tonight, if I can find it!

Rg

 

[Vintagebikelover24]

I'll try to get a pic of it tonight, if I can find it!

Rg

Okay thanks!
-Coiléan

 

[raggedjim]

I'm sorry, I looked for that bike for a couple hours, and I can't help but feel I have some bikes missing. I know I didn't sell it but it wasn't where it should be.

I'm sorry I got your hopes up, Rg