CWC started producing bikes in September of 1935. The serial number location of CWC bicycles from 1935-1956 is located underneath the bottom bracket. The early bikes (1935-36) could have used a serial starting with XX, Z , or A. The very early bikes starting with XX or Z appear rather crude (Fig 1). Beginning with the “A” serial numbers the font is uniform and distinctive. This style of font is usually a good indicator fo a CWC built bike (Fig 2.). The serial numbers repeat during the prewar period so the frame style and components must be used to date the bike.
Note–Although the Delivery Cycles are listed as 1940-41 models all known examples have a serial number starting with “D”
The serial number on early postwar bikes (1946-mid 1947) is the same style as the prewar bikes so frame characteristics must be used in conjunction with the serial number to distinguish between a pre and early post war bike. The biggest ‘tell’ between a prewar and post war bike is a lack of drop stand ‘ears’ on postwar frames* (Figs 3, 3-1). Later postwar bikes also have a ridge on seat post clamp (Figs 4, 4-1), and a stamped, curved upper rear fender brace vice a straight, tubular fender brace on prewar bikes (and early post war bikes) (Figs 5, 5-1). Early postwar from roughly ’46-47 can be confusing as the drop stand ears are normally the only indicator the bike is postwar.
*Note–The ’40-1 “All American” prewar model did not have drop stand ‘ears’ but other frame indicators will identify this frame as prewar.
Beginning in August 1947 the serial will have a large “C” with a small “w” inside it after the serial number. This style of serial number runs until about July of 1949 (Fig 6).
Starting about August 1949 CWC again changed the serial style and after the serial number is an “A” before the big “C” with little “w” (Fig 7). This configuration was used until the end of 1951.
Note: CWC was purchased by AMF in April 1951
Starting in 1952 through 1956 the serial was followed by the last two numbers of the year with the big “C” with the small “w” inside (Fig 9). This makes these bikes very easy to date. Also during 1956 production was moved to Little Rock, Arkansas
Serial number chart compiled from various sources.
|
1935-36 |
|
XX, Z, A |
|
1st Qtr 1937 |
3rd Qtr 1937 |
Bxxxxx |
|
3rd Qtr 1937 |
Mid 1938 |
Cxxxxx |
|
Mid 1938 |
1st Qtr 1939 |
Dxxxxx |
|
1st Qtr 1939 |
Dec 1939 |
Exxxxx |
|
Dec 1939 |
Jul 1940 |
Fxxxxx |
|
Jul 1940 |
Dec 1940 |
Gxxxxx |
|
Dec 1940 |
Jan 1941 |
Hxxxxx |
|
Jan 1941 |
Oct 1941 |
Jxxxxx |
|
Oct 1941 |
Dec 1941 |
Kxxxxx |
|
Jan 1942 |
Dec 1943 |
Axxxxx |
|
Sep 1945 |
Jan 1946 |
Fxxxxx |
|
Jan 1946 |
Apr 1946 |
Gxxxxx |
|
Apr 1946 |
Aug 1946 |
Hxxxxx |
|
Aug 1946 |
Dec 1946 |
Jxxxxx |
|
Dec 1946 |
Feb 1947 |
Axxxxx |
|
Feb 1947 |
May 1947 |
Bxxxxx |
|
May 1947 |
Aug 1947 |
Cxxxxx Cw |
|
*Aug 1947 |
Dec 1947 |
Dxxxxx Cw |
|
Jan 1948 |
May 1948 |
Exxxxx Cw |
|
May 1948 |
Sep 1948 |
Fxxxxx Cw |
|
Sep 1948 |
Dec 1948 |
Gxxxxx Cw |
|
Jan 1948 |
Mar 1948 |
Hxxxxx Cw |
|
Mar 1948 |
Jun 1949 |
Jxxxxx Cw |
|
Jun 1949 |
Sep 1949 |
Axxxxx ACw |
|
Sep 1949 |
Jan 1950 |
Bxxxxx ACw |
|
Jan 1950 |
Apr 1950 |
Cxxxxx ACw |
|
Apr 1950 |
Jul 1950 |
Dxxxxx ACw |
|
Jul 1950 |
Nov 1950 |
Exxxxx ACw |
|
Nov 1950 |
Feb 1951 |
Fxxxxx ACw |
|
Feb 1951 |
Jun 1951 |
Gxxxxx ACw |
|
Jun 1951 |
Sep 1951 |
Hxxxxx ACw |
|
Sep 1951 |
Dec 1951 |
Jxxxxx ACw |
|
1952 |
|
Zxxxxx 52Cw |
|
1953 |
|
Zxxxxx 53Cw |
|
1954 |
|
Zxxxxx 54Cw |
|
1955 |
|
Zxxxxx 55Cw |
|
1956 |
|
Zxxxxx 56Cw |
* Due to inconsistencies between sources the change in 1947 to the new numbering system is approximate From Aug 1947 through the end of 1951.