Schwinn Serial # Gurus......

[julesjunk]

Picked this Stepthrough 3spd up over the weekend. Was getting ready to add it to the "behind the barn" storage area when I happened to look at the VIN. Didn't make sense that it would start with a # unstead of a letter. Figured one of you out there smarter than I would know. However, while attempting to look it up at bunchobikes, an idea hit me. I'm thinking it's a 1962, and whoever was in charge of stamping VINs that day got it too far to the right, and simply added the 7 at the left. Am I overthinking it? Or have any of you seen this before??

Thanks......

 

[CCR]

50s style guard, i know there were some 50s schwinns that started 7d 7e and 7f kinda scattered out according to bunch-o-bikes. but didnt see your exact serial listed. probably a schwinn racer or traveler imo. but im thinking 50's

the rear hub should be dated though :idea:

 

[Crassly]

I believe that would make it a 1957. There should be a date on the SA hub that would confirm that.

 

[julesjunk]

CCR and Crassly,
I agree. 1957. Though I can't find a reference to 7C either. Maybe an early proto-type

Hub is too rusty to get a good read. All I can make out thus far is "Schwinn Approved" and "Austria".

I have another one just like it that I checked, with the same chainguard, that dates late 61, so it appears they made this style into the early 60's. I think they are possibly both "Travelers".

Thanks.....

Regards,
Jules

 

[Rustinkerer]

57 was an oddball year for serial #s. Thay started the year with B18549, went thru C11912, then switched to R numbers, back to C, and 7D in June. They switched back and forth, it's crazy. ~Adam