

My interpretation for these bikes would be: Murray built, all from the same year (R), two different catalog models 283, 286, and yours being made slightly before the other two (lower serial number). I have recorded two R code bikes so far, both model 283’s with serial numbers higher than yours. While a specific answer as to the date of your bike is not available on line, (Though Leon Dixon at the NBHAA might be able to date the bike by the serial number alone as he has more knowledge and literature than virtually anyone else in the hobby) I would guess that your bike is from about 51-52-53 based on my decoding to date of the early numbers. The R in the code does appear to be a year code but until more bikes are recorded it is not possible to be sure what year it represents (A simple alphabet/year count does not allow for missing letters) There is literature that relates these numbers to the model and year(s) of production but little of it is in the public domain. Your bike appears to be one with a three-digit model number (286) that was used in Sears literature to define the bike model but does not appear in the Consumer catalogs. In a nutshell it appears that both patterns work but the two systems are mutually exclusive and it is not clear yet when the system was changed. I have been working in the other direction starting with the Murray produced Elgins from the late 1930’s and looking for patterns that can date Murray built Sears bicycles into the 50’s.

The 12 month average price is 167.46 used. What’s the value of a JC Higgins shotgun A JC HIGGINS shotgun is currently worth an average price of 153.39 used. The models that were recalled all were a part of teh BA2 design series. Much of what has been offered up to date for decoding the numbers is based on counting backward from the serial numbers attached to 1960’s bikes and using the information on the bottom bracket to divine a catalog number that will reference the bike in the Sears Consumer catalogs. There will be no serial number on this model. Murray serial numbers for Sear bikes appear to follow more than one defining pattern.
