Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. On December 23rd, 1937 a U.S. Patent was filed for a collapsible bicycle. The patent had six unique features to make it fold into a small space for easy storage and transport. The Patent was awarded on August 13th, 1940.
In 1938 the Compax Mfg Co. Inc. introduced it’s Compax Vagabond Folding bike. This bike was designed for easy transport and was targeted to apartment dwellers, yachtsmen and vacationers along with daily commuters. It did not take long for Westfield Mfg Co., the makers of Columbia bikes to take note of this bike and they wanted it in their line of bikes. The very next year Westfield purchased the company and patent for this bike. In 1940 the first Westfield made Compax bikes went into production now called the Compax Sports Traveler.
Vacationers were not the only target Westfield Mfg had in mind for this bike. For several years war was brewing with Japan and the idea of a lightweight compact bike was being entertained by the US Military. Almost two Years before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the US Marines were experimenting with take-apart bikes and used a Westfield made Compax in Marine Paratrooper trials. These tests would lead to the Paratrooper name and legend. The fact of the matter is the U.S. Military never approved these bikes for paratrooper use. This did not mean the makers of Columbia bicycles did not give up on the idea of selling these bikes to the military. Many were purchased by the military for use on bases.
There is a well known publicity photo depicting the marine paratrooper trials. This picture was used by Westfield Mfg during the war in ads to promote their participation in the war effort. Though a contract for true “Paratrooper” Paramarine bikes was never a reality for Westfield Mfg. it did not stop them from playing up the interest the Marine Paratroopers had shown in the Compax a few years earlier including a bit of truth stretching. This is part of the reason many today still think our troops did jump out of the skies with bicycles strapped to their backs.
In 1943 Westfield Mfg produced two model Compax’s specifically for sale to the Military. Though there were no known U.S. contracts for these many were sold to individual military bases. These models had an extra frame brace between the seat mast and rear lower rear fork. They are usually found in civilian colors with wartime “blackout” parts.
This example is a 1943 Westfield Compax Model F 92-L collapsible bicycle with original blackout paint offered in very good functional condition. The serial number is GL7595. It retains the original front plate, replacement Schwiin period seat, original tires (not functional) a spare set of tires (also not functional) and working junction point on the frame and folding handlebars with military style grips. A fantastic military bicycle that may never have jumped from a plane but did play a role in the American War effort during World War Two.
In 1938 the Compax Mfg Co. Inc. introduced it’s Compax Vagabond Folding bike. This bike was designed for easy transport and was targeted to apartment dwellers, yachtsmen and vacationers along with daily commuters. It did not take long for Westfield Mfg Co., the makers of Columbia bikes to take note of this bike and they wanted it in their line of bikes. The very next year Westfield purchased the company and patent for this bike. In 1940 the first Westfield made Compax bikes went into production now called the Compax Sports Traveler.
Vacationers were not the only target Westfield Mfg had in mind for this bike. For several years war was brewing with Japan and the idea of a lightweight compact bike was being entertained by the US Military. Almost two Years before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the US Marines were experimenting with take-apart bikes and used a Westfield made Compax in Marine Paratrooper trials. These tests would lead to the Paratrooper name and legend. The fact of the matter is the U.S. Military never approved these bikes for paratrooper use. This did not mean the makers of Columbia bicycles did not give up on the idea of selling these bikes to the military. Many were purchased by the military for use on bases.
There is a well known publicity photo depicting the marine paratrooper trials. This picture was used by Westfield Mfg during the war in ads to promote their participation in the war effort. Though a contract for true “Paratrooper” Paramarine bikes was never a reality for Westfield Mfg. it did not stop them from playing up the interest the Marine Paratroopers had shown in the Compax a few years earlier including a bit of truth stretching. This is part of the reason many today still think our troops did jump out of the skies with bicycles strapped to their backs.
In 1943 Westfield Mfg produced two model Compax’s specifically for sale to the Military. Though there were no known U.S. contracts for these many were sold to individual military bases. These models had an extra frame brace between the seat mast and rear lower rear fork. They are usually found in civilian colors with wartime “blackout” parts.
This example is a 1943 Westfield Compax Model F 92-L collapsible bicycle with original blackout paint offered in very good functional condition. The serial number is GL7595. It retains the original front plate, replacement Schwiin period seat, original tires (not functional) a spare set of tires (also not functional) and working junction point on the frame and folding handlebars with military style grips. A fantastic military bicycle that may never have jumped from a plane but did play a role in the American War effort during World War Two.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
