British Military Bicycles

[Hanno Spoelstra]

See http://bsamuseum.wordpress.com/the-military-roadster/ for "Pedal Power - The British Military Bicycle" by Ian Skennerton, published in 1991 in Arms & Militia Collector. An excellent source of information on this subject.

H.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Rare photo of a bicycle in action, in this case as an ammunition carrier it seems.

Though it could well be a commandeered bike, rather than an official Army issue one.

18839136_10156172054709622_7327008665819077129_n.jpg

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

See http://bsamuseum.wordpress.com/the-military-roadster/ for "Pedal Power - The British Military Bicycle" by Ian Skennerton, published in 1991 in Arms & Militia Collector. An excellent source of information on this subject.

What else has Ian Skennerton written about? Lee Enfields, sniper rifles, bicycles - what's next field brothel furnishings?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

What else has Ian Skennerton written about? Lee Enfields, sniper rifles, bicycles - what's next field brothel furnishings?

Some authors are quite prophylactic, profane, ehm what's that word - ah, prolific! - eh?

[BCA]

Has anyone seen a manual for the BSA folding bicycle? I am particularly interested in the exact nomenclature for this model. ....... Brian

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Some authors are quite prophylactic, profane, ehm what's that word - ah, prolific! - eh?

For a man whose second language is English, your sense of humour is pretty good. Your teachers would be proud of you.

[Ed Storey]

Brian, unlike the Americans who had a manual for everything, there is no manual specific to the British BSA Folding Bicycle. It may be referenced in the Vocabulary of Ordnance Stores and it is discussed in Pamphlet No. 4 Airborne/Airtransported Operations, Supplement No. 1 1948 as a Folding Bicycle. The Bicycle Mk IV is covered in the 1931 and revised 1944 edition of Instructions for Armourers.

[BCA]

Ed, Thank you for your input. Owners are always keen to add "airborne" or "paratrooper" to the description of their collectibles. I am still hopeful that some documentation surfaces that explains the design and intent of the BSA folding bicycle... Brian

[derk derin]

Thanks Hanno,
I have had a couple of British handlebars in my collection of "Surplus items" and never knew what bicycle they came off of and also had a type of mount on the front with a leather strap. Looking at your link on British military bicycles you posted finally identified what bicycle the handlebars belonged to. It looks like my handlebars are off of a Mk IV bicycle and the mount with the leather strap is in fact the front rifle mount for the bicycle! Another mystery solved!
Regards,Derk