estate sale hawthorne... age?

corysmeltzer · Sep 6, 2010

i just got this wards hawthorne at an estate sale a couple days ago for three dollars... it was out in their chicken coop and they didn't even know it was there. i'm not sure about the year or really anything about it but obliviously wanted it especially for $3

sorry about the bad pictures my camera broke so i am using my daughter's cheap one haha

can't see it in the picture well but the code is J45857

again sorry for the rough picture

anyone know how to age this thing or to tell me what i have? i typically only deal with schwinns :lol:

outskirtscustoms · Sep 6, 2010

I honestly have no clue what it is but it is a sweet project for $3! That saddle alone is probably worth $50-$100 depending how well it cleans up.

corysmeltzer · Sep 7, 2010

anyone have an idea how old this is? :roll:

Rustinkerer · Sep 7, 2010

Since it has a completely straight second tube, I'm thinking it's an early 50s frame, though it should have another stamping with something like "52Cw". The w is inside the C, 52 would be the year. The badge on it looks like a late 30s-early 40s badge, may have been changed. And it has a mid 50s amf chainring on it, I'm thinking it's a mutt. CWC frame though. -Adam

rms37 · Sep 7, 2010

The pattern frame you have was introduced in 1947 and the dropouts were changed from the pattern used on this frame at the end of 1949; meaning the frame must date between 1947 and 1949. It is hard to tell if there is a stamping after the serial number, J45857. If there is no “Cw” following the number your bike is from the early part of that time span. If there is a “Cw” symbol, then it is toward the end of that period. Later models used ACw, 52Cw, etc. but they have the later dropouts. I agree that the 1/2" pitch drive train is a later addition.

corysmeltzer · Sep 7, 2010

ahhh nice, thanks... well it does have a "Cw" stamp after the serial number the w inside of the C. the chainring is what made me think that is was newer because it should be skip-tooth right? but i guess i didn't think of someone swapping it out years ago haha