TheWheelmen

Wheelmen Talk => General discussions on Wheelmen topics. => Topic started by: joe on February 24, 2020, 01:08:53 AM

Title: c1900 Crescent Model 16
Post by: joe on February 24, 2020, 01:08:53 AM

Our museum acquired a c1900 Crescent Model 16 ladies bike. I'm hoping to learn its model year. Serial# 562768.
Please see our Model 16 photos attached.

We have a Crescent Model 32 that's very similar (Serial# 359046). Not sure of its year either.

Joe Breeze
Marin Museum of Bicycling
Fairfax, CA

Title: Re: c1900 Crescent Model 16
Post by: 58inchwheel on February 24, 2020, 06:18:01 AM

If the model number 32 is a ladies bike it is 1900.

Title: Re: c1900 Crescent Model 16
Post by: Jeff Kidder on February 24, 2020, 07:34:50 AM

1899 Crescent Model 16:

Crescent ad from December 8, 1898 issue of The Cycle Age & Trade Review:

Title: Re: c1900 Crescent Model 16
Post by: joe on February 24, 2020, 12:45:56 PM

Thanks for posting the 1898 intro flyer. That 1899 model year Model 16 Crescent looks very similar. Only notable differences are the handlebar stem (adjustable bar angle), seat post (rearward type), and chainring spider (more bulbous at attachment). Maybe there were other years Crescent offered their Model 16? I imagine the stem and post could've been just swapped out at the dealer. And maybe the crank change was a running change later in the the year. "Parts spec subject to change."

Nice to see mention of the "Rosewood" finish on the mud guard. I'll be restoring ours, it's in two pieces now. I imagine many of these broke. Maybe someone knows a source for the mud guard ferrules? Looks like a Stimpson SG 5-7. I imagine they were flashed with nickel originally, though ours are pretty dang dark now.

Does anyone know of a Crescent serial number listing?

Joe

Title: Re: c1900 Crescent Model 16
Post by: joe on February 26, 2020, 09:16:57 PM

Librarian Smith comes through again, to confirm that our Model 32 is, like 58er opined, indeed from 1900.

Thanks, all.

Joe