24 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 04 



This Model 43 Columbia bicycle, manufactured by the Pope Manu- 

 facturing Co., Hartford, Conn., was purchased in Washington, D. C, 

 in the spring of 189() for $150, and was then used by the donors for a 

 honeymoon tour through Europe. 



The frame is made of high-cai-bon-steel and nickel-steel tubing, the 

 handle bars are tubular with vulcanite-tipi)ed cork handles, and the 

 wheel rims are of laminated wood. 



The diameter of each wheel with tii'e is the same, 28 inches, the front 

 wheel e-outaining 8(j tangentially laced steel spokes, and the rear con- 

 taining 44. The hubs are machined from solid drop foigings of steel, 

 and are Htted with detachable ball cases for the bearings. The tires 

 are 1%-inch, single-tube ])neuuuitics. made by the Hartford Rul)ber 

 Works Co., a subsidiary of the Pojie Manufacturing Co. 



The rear-wheel sprocket, on tiie right side of the hub, is drixcn by a 

 block chain fi'om the larger of the two center s])rockets. Another 

 block chain connects the smaller si)rocket of the center pair to the front 

 sprocket. Adjustment of the i-ear-chain tension is obtained by mo\ing 

 the rear axle backward or forward in slots at the rear ends of the real' 

 fork, while adjustment of the front-chain tension is obtained by turn- 

 ing the eccentrically mounted front-crank bearing bushing in the 

 frame, thus moving the front sprocket backward or forward. The 

 throw of the pedals is not adjustable, the front throw being (> inches 

 and the real', 7^^ inches. 



There is no coaster attachment, the i)edals always turning while the 

 bicycle is in motion. No footrests are attached to the front fork for 

 use while coasting. 



The rear handle bars turn in unison with the front, a drag link con- 

 necting short arms attached to the lower ends of the steering ])osts. 



A warning bell is secured to the left handle bar, and a lever for hand 

 operation of the front-wheel brake spoon is ])ivoted on the right handle 

 bar. A small coil spring at the pivot normally holds the spoon away 

 from the tire. 



The two saddles are fully adjustable for position, and are made of 

 leather and metal. In addition, the front saddle has a wooden base. 

 A hand-operated tire pump is secured to the center section of the dia- 

 mond part of the frame. There are no mudguards, though they were 

 originally available as optional equipment. There is also no chain 

 guard for the front sprocket, another originally available item. The 

 machine weighs approximately 4G pounds. 



