Indian Motorcycle Parts Foundry Forge Stamping Marks 1949-1951 Verticals

[JTR249]

Here is the information on Penton's Foundry List. Thanks to Pisten-Bully, I was able to obtain a used, affordable copy and have posted all MA listed factories here. I hope other people with knowledge will share what they know or can find out themselves. He was right, many of the entries are suggestive; "Indian Orchard," "Indian Foundry," "Springfield Foundry" and so on.
Please let me know what any of you are able to find.
-JR
36450

[JTR249]

Thank you dkgoz. I never saw that information at the website.
My book on the foundry information is on the way. I will let all of you know what I find.

-JR

[Jerry Wieland]

Nelson Muffler also had factories in Neilsville and Bloomer, Wisconsin.

Nelson Muffler was in Wisconsin. The current business, Nelson Group, has this bit of history on their website:

Our history traces back to Nelson Muffler which was established in Stoughton, Wisconsin in 1939 in the basement of a Buick garage. Nelson Muffler developed a leading position in the diesel and gas engine markets over the next several years, supplying exhaust mufflers to a wide variety of customers. The business grew rapidly during World War II, supported by increased demand from the U.S. government. This growth financed the construction of a facility in Black River Falls, Wisconsin in 1946. This was followed by the establishment of facilities in Viroqua in 1966 and Arcadia in 1979. Viroqua later moved to a new facility in 1977 and Black River Falls built a new facility in 1994.

dkgoz

[Dkgoz]

Nelson Muffler was in Wisconsin. The current business, Nelson Group, has this bit of history on their website:

Our history traces back to Nelson Muffler which was established in Stoughton, Wisconsin in 1939 in the basement of a Buick garage. Nelson Muffler developed a leading position in the diesel and gas engine markets over the next several years, supplying exhaust mufflers to a wide variety of customers. The business grew rapidly during World War II, supported by increased demand from the U.S. government. This growth financed the construction of a facility in Black River Falls, Wisconsin in 1946. This was followed by the establishment of facilities in Viroqua in 1966 and Arcadia in 1979. Viroqua later moved to a new facility in 1977 and Black River Falls built a new facility in 1994.

dkgoz

[JTR249]

pisten-bully, thank you for the lead. I will see what I can find out.
-JR

[pisten-bully]

Dunno if you've come across this resource yet, or whether you can even find a copy, but Penton's Foundry List 1949-1950 may give some clues:

7F740101-6B8B-4EEB-9F92-F7B0F9DE4E82.jpeg

[JTR249]

Yep. Kinda crazy. I already knew the Esta Manthos museum had no information because of prior contact. i thought since the State Department of every state regulates businesses that information would be there. Maybe not in 1949-1951. I'll look into patents again, though I did not have much luck the first time. Still waiting to hear from the steel society organization.
Hope they can help.
-JR

[pisten-bully]

John, that's actually more than I would have expected from a state government staff person! So the hunt continues...seems like someone, somewhere must have documented foundry marks?

[JTR249]

Another dead end in the paper chase. Here is a copy of an email I just received from the State Department of Massachusetts.

"Dear Mr. Robinson,



Thank you for your inquiry. The Massachusetts Archives only collects records created by state government agencies, so unfortunately we don’t have anything from the foundry or the manufacturing company. The Springfield City Library and the Springfield History Museum and Archives might have some useful information. I found that the museum/archives includes some artifacts related to Indian Motorcycles

https://springfieldmuseums.org/about/museum-of-springfield-history/springfield-history-library-archives/



If you haven’t already, I would also recommend trying to get in touch with someone at the Indian Motorcycle’s corporate archives: https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/history/



If you have any other questions in the future, please don’t hesitate to contact us again."



Sincerely,



Caitlin Jones

Head of Reference

Massachusetts Archives

220 Morrissey Blvd.

Boston, MA 02125

617-727-2816 x 244

caitlin.jones@sec.state.ma.us

[JTR249]

Thanks to both of you for the encouragement. I had thought the same thing about SDF, though still have not been able to verify the information.
Here is a rough historical chart that I have been able to put together based on talking to people and doing a little online research.
Location Part Company

York, PA Fenders York Corrugating Company
Cincinnati, OH Moto Lamps Electric Auto-Lite
Springfield, MA Magneto (AJ-1 and AJ-2) Edison-Wico Electric Company
Birmingham, United Kingdom Carburetors Amal
Dunkirk, IL Moto Lamp Lenses Indiana Glass Company
Torrington, CT Bearings Torrington Manufacturing
Plainfield, CT Engine Torque Engineering
Redditch, England Valve Springs Herbert Terry & Sons Ltd.
Cincinnati, OH Tail Light (Beehive) Lenses American Automatic Devices (King Bee)
Horn Sparton or Electric Auto-Lite
Generator Delco-Remy
Springfield, MA Pistons, BrakePedals, Shift Lever, Cam Levers, Prop Stands, Kicker Pedals, Springfield Foundry (unconfirmed)
Center Stands, Kick Start Lever, Fork Tubes CM (unknown)
mufflers, headers Nelson Muffler Corporation
Tires Dunlop
Wheel Parts Mason
Fender Brackets
Springs and Spring Covers
Wiring Harness
Rear and Primary Drive chain
Gas Tank
Frame Sections
Handlebars
Rims
Oil Tank
Again, if any of you can help fill in the info, cut and paste it to a Word document and send it as attached in a PM to me so that I can update my records. If I have left out any parts, let me know.
Thanks again.
-JR
36450

[1950Panhead]

I have periodically searched since this last post with no luck. I still think the SDF is an acronym for the foundry which made parts such as the connecting rods, shift levers and cams.

SDF is likely Springfield D Foundry, the Springfield library probably has phone books and city directories from the 1940's.
Springfield library - https://www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/

[pisten-bully]

Go John! Fascinating to see this history

[JTR249]

Numeric Stamps 249 Flywheel also 2088.jpg
Vertical Fork Stamp CM.jpg
Chum-Me Seat Pan number stamp 17 1097 and trademark symbols of pyramids Wet.jpg

[JTR249]

[JTR249]

Here's a couple more.

-John
36450
[ATTACH=CONFIG]
30201[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]
30202[/ATTACH]
Indian Vertical Brake Cover made by MASON stamped on inside.jpg