Coventry machinists’ Company 1877ca. Gentleman’s Bicycle 3504-75

Coventry machinists’ Company 1877ca. “Gentleman’s Bicycle” frame # 6550 frame & forks # R70

In 1868, The Coventry Sewing Machine Company received an order from Paris to make a number of Velocipedes, an early type of bicycle that was popular in France. The idea was that these bicycles would be exported to France, but the Franco-Prussian War forced the company to build up a home market instead. This event heralded the beginning of the city’s cycle industry. The firm’s name was changed to Coventry Machinists’ Company in 1869 and it would get an excellent reputation as a leader in the developing velocipede market.
The 1877 range consisted of three basic models, The Gentleman’s Roadster, the Light Roadster and the Coventry Racer. The models were available with various wheel diameters, front wheels from 42 to 60 inches, rear wheels 30 to 39 inches. The machines have steel backbone tubes, adjustable spokes and cranks, and come with leg rests that can easily be taken off, if wished so.
The machine we offer has a ca. 52 inch front wheel and is in excellent authentic condition. Frame and forks have matching numbers and saddle pan and pigskin leather cover are original. The wheels are shod with correct solid white rubber tyres.