1946/1947 Raleigh Gents ‘Wartime Finish’

 

WARTIME FINISH BICYCLES:

Left: BSA. Right: RALEIGH

1946/1947 Raleigh Gents ‘Wartime Finish’

22″ Frame

26 x 1 3/8″ Wheels

Frame no 62958P

Economy handlebar grips

1930s John Bull pedals

(Now sold)

‘Wartime Finish’ bicycles are not military issue, but civilian models produced when there was a shortage of chrome parts.

Keen to get back into civilian bicycle production after World War 2, Raleigh brought out a basic model for the home market based on their pre-war sales line. I’ve not found a sales catalogue illustration of it. The 1939 Raleigh Dawn Safety has similar specification, with 22″ frame size, but the lugwork on the ‘Wartime Finish’ Raleigh is similar to the company’s sports models.

The economy style handlebar grips are interesting. Some ‘Wartime Finish’ bicycles had wooden pedal blocks, though this example is fitted with pre-war John Bull pedals. The paint is original, unrestored, with original transfers (decals) intact. It’s in good riding condition, with new tyres recently fitted.

 

 

 

1939 RALEIGH CATALOGUE

 

 

 

 

ECONOMY HANDLEBAR GRIPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1946/1947 RALEIGH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS

 

 

 

 

 

1930s JOHN BULL RUBBER PEDALS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘WARTIME FINISH’ BICYCLES: RALEIGH v BSA

 

 

 

 

TO SEE THE

1947 BSA GENTS ‘WARTIME FINISH’ BICYCLE

PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

 

PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION: TIDE MILLS, NEWHAVEN, EAST SUSSEX