As you know from reading this blog, bicycling has an immensely long history in China, going all the way back to the 19th century Qing dynasty and the advent of bicycling itself. However, there is an even older form of manpowered transport in China: The Rickshaw.
The first rickshaws were foot haulers, where the rickshaw man ran ahead of the cart carrying it in a reverse wheelbarrow fashion.
When bicycles came along it did not take long form someone to figure out that these two forms of transport could be effectively married. Technically, this would be called a bicycle rickshaw, or a pedicab, or even a trishaw. But most people colloquially just call them rickshaws. With such a long history, it's no surprise that old rickshaws also have their fans.
A few weeks back at Panjiayuan, there was a particular treat in this regard as 3 rickshaws frames, each at various levels of restoration and customization were present. You an see them in the photo above. The first, was just a cleaned up frame, probably of late manufacture as the frame looks welded.
The 2nd bike had paid a visit to the chromer and acquired some brass for trusses.
But the third bike, was much more interesting. While I don't think the fork is original, the bronze fork trusses were things of wonder. VERY mandarin. Very late Qing in style.
While examining the fork, the headbadge caught my eye. This is where I really got a big surprise. "Rollfast, New York". Old American bikes are not seen in China...ever.
So, how old was this bike? Well, I found another clue just behind the front fork. Take a look at the bells. There are two brass handlebar bells, which is not surprising. There are also two bronze push gongs. Again, a very Chinese feature, but I was again pleasantly surprised. The owner removed on of the plunger to show me "Pat. USA Feb, 4, 1897." !!!!
So is the rickshaw from 1897?
Difficult to say for certain. The frame didn't look too different from the other rickshaws. It wasn't lugged, and arc-welding did not come into popular use until the 1930's. But it doesn't exactly look welded either. Take a look at the reinforcing bar near the neck. This is also where the rear brake cable attaches. You can see the reinforcing bar fits into "cups" on both the top tube and front down tube. Now this could be a VERY large, very nicely polished weld, which would mean the frame is not original. Or it could be some unfamiliar 19th century tube joining method.
However, with that said, Rollfast was around in 1897, so it is entirely possible that they could have made this che. Another possibility, is that while Rollfast made Rickshaws for the Chinese market, this one is not original, and the headbadge and gongs are reproduction parts mounted on a newer frame. I think this most likely.
Other clues about the age are not forth coming. The frame is chromed, of course any frame from 1897 would not be chromed. Probably painted or maybe nickel plated instead. But that was the restorer's choice and doesn't reflect on the real age. It's the same with the brass Miller headlight, which is also a later addition. Electric lights did not start to appear on bikes until the 1920's
The back of the bike does not offer any more clues, but does offer a lot of eye candy. Bright brass fenders and lots of brass fasteners. The brake appears to be the standard contracting band type found on all rickshaws. Note the turned bronze cross bar at the back adorned with dangling bronze bells. That's fine craftsmanship. But the part that really spoke to me of the craftsmanship of the restorer was the pedal.
The humble pedal, which the driver is going to constantly be grinding his foot into over and over again, is a brass and rosewood piece of art. Note the brass inserts and surrounds. Extremely nice detail indeed.
Now what is it all going to look like when this frame acquires a carriage? It will get even more brass and stainless for sure, and end up looking something like this....
