Any help with Spitfire ID

[Hank Street]

I just got this Spitfire from an estate sale for $25. Definitely needs lots of TLC. But I’m not seeing a serial number in any of the usual spots, any ideas as to year? Thank you.

 

[Wildcat]

Check the bottom bracket for a number. It looks like late 40's/early 50's. Definitely a good deal at 25 bucks.

 

[Wildcat]

My info shows the Spitfire came out in 1951, and had that frame style, DX. Then it went to a straight bar frame in 1954. That means the number could be on the bottom bracket or left rear dropout.

 

[Hank Street]

My info shows the Spitfire came out in 1951, and had that frame style, DX. Then it went to a straight bar frame in 1954. That means the number could be on the bottom bracket or left rear dropout.

Had to remove some paint on the bottom bracket, but I found it. 1/18 1957

 

[Wildcat]

The bottom bracket numbers were 1952 and earlier. After that would be on the dropout. B would be late 40's, but Spitfire wasn't made back then, supposedly. I'll do some digging.

 

[Wildcat]

This shows Spitfire came out in 1948:

 

[Hank Street]

The bottom bracket numbers were 1952 and earlier. After that would be on the dropout. B would be late 40's, but Spitfire wasn't made back then, supposedly. I'll do some digging.

This was what I found as well as entering it into a serial number site.
https://www.angelfire.com/rant/allday101/SchwinnCodes3.html

 

[Hank Street]

This is what the other shows, so maybe not a 57? You definitely know more about this than I do, thank you for your help. Looks like they recycled that number series three times. So if you’re saying they switch to rear in 53, it is probably a 52 then. That number fell in between 03/04 and 03/31 in 1952.

 

[Wildcat]

So, it looks like you have the original handlebars and stem, and also the seat. The chain guard is a replacement. Your bike may have come as a skip tooth, but they would have had to change the rear wheel and chain wheel to make it for a standard chain. That's a Schwinn chain wheel and the ND rear hub was used way back then also, so the driveline may be original also.

Either way, you have a late 40's DX style Schwinn bike. I'm jealous.

 

[Wildcat]

That serial number lookup tool doesn't take into account numbers on the bottom bracket.

 

[Wildcat]

I checked my numbers book, it could be 1952, with a B plus 5 digits, except all the catalog illustrations show a different frame, straight bar style, yours is DX style. There's a 46/47 DX for sale here that looks like the same frame as yours.

 

[Wildcat]

Here's more info, with an earlier serial number:

https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/schwinn-spitfire-year.29062/

 

[Hank Street]

Thank you for the information. I still have a lot to learn, so thank you for helping me. Makes sense what you are saying about the DX frame.