This unusual Ordinary bicycle is a transitional model most likely built in France or England in the early 1870's. It appears to be the work of a blacksmith or skilled machinist. Unusual are the hubs of this transitional Ordinary. They are cast bronze and use adjustable spokes at the hub. The machine is very crude and quite heavy but interesting none the less.
I've included an image of a foundry in France showing the workers holding various forgings (fork,head,rear forks,etc.) that would be used to make up an early velocipede or high wheel bicycle. This photo probably dates to the 1869 - 1873 time period.
Manufacture date:
