Old pioneer lincoln ace schwinn badges

[rbonney]

A fellow member stopped by with wondering if anyone here could help identify them so here thet are any input would be great thanks for looking i can get more pics if needed thanks what a great garage sale find

 

[CycleTruck]

Not sure what needs identified ... they all have the name on them and all are Schwinn brands.

 

[Slick Rick]

The Lincoln and La Salle badges were from Chicago cycle supply as printed, Cadillac was another one they put on the Schwinn bikes they sold.All of these badges were put on Schwinns by other distributors who had contracts with Schwinn to purchase their bikes and distribute (sell) them through they're own storefronts.Those bikes were known as "contract" bikes to collectors.In 1948 Frank Schwinn made a decision and memo's were sent to all whom it concerned, No more contract bikes! At this time Schwinn continued to make good on exhisting contracts, until the terms ran out, but no other distributor would be able to purchase, for resale, a Schwinn.Pretty sure B.F. Goodrich was the last of the "contract" Schwinns you will see. It was a sore subject w/Schwinn when someone would ask "Why can I buy a Schwinn from someone else cheaper than Scwinn." Answer, long term contract guaranteeing a low price and the store using the bike as a promotional "loss leader".

 

[rbonney]

Thanks for the input what years do you think these are and are any of them rare. Anyone have pics of bikes with these. Thanks

 

[B607]

I'd say the Pioneer is the least common, and the Ace is the most common. Gary