1924 JDCA spokes

[slamiste]

My parts book list the spoke for the front wheel as part number 3943-16 and 3944-21 for the rear wheel. I have most of the original spokes that were unlaced from the wheels years ago. They're in pretty bad shape and I can't see any obvious differences between the +60 spokes I have. Can someone tell me what the difference between the front and rear spokes is? I was going to send samples to Buchanans so they could make replacements but to do that I need to send samples of both front spokes and rear spokes. Is any one aware of a better source for replacement spokes?

[23JDCA 808]

My rear wheel was complete; spokes are 0.16” diameter. This works out to 6 gauge. (lower gauge, greater thickness)
I had my front wheel done the same thickness by Buchanan's. At the time I did this I’d found that the stock front spokes were a little thinner. My wheels had 40 spokes each.
From another contributor, “The spokes are a 9 gauge for the front. The rear you might want to use an 8/9 gauge, giving a little more metal at the bend. I've had the 9 gauge spokes brake on the rear wheel since that’s the wheel that takes all the abuse.”
Parts books shows spokes 3944-21 at 10 9/16” for rear wheels (1921 thru 1924.)
3943-16 at 10 9/16” for 1921 thru 1924 front wheel only.

[slamiste]

Thanks Bill.
I've gone through all the old unbroken spokes and they all measure out at approximately 0.150" at the nipple end which according to my wire gauge chart equals 9 gauge (0.1483" on the chart). In addition they all measure about 0.177" on the thicker section of the spoke at the hub which works out to be 7 gauge on my wire chart. I know these are the orginal spokes off the machine since I bought the bike in 1975 from the original owner's wife and I was the one to unlace the wheels (they were in bad shape). So I guess the mystery goes on.

P.S. According to my wire gauge chart 0.16" equates to 8 gauge (not 6). I got the chart on line and I'm reading from the column labled SWG (U.S. Inch). I'm I looking at the wrong thing?

[23JDCA 808]

You're probably correct. That was a few years ago, and I'm still learning. Bill