WWII M305 Bicycle for Army and Marines
Early in WW2, the US Army Ordnance Department adopted the G-519 “Bicycle, Military, Universal in October 1942 “to provide transportation for personnel engaged in dispatch or messenger Service.”
G-519 Bicycle, Military, Men’s
Net Weight: 55 lbs.
Payload: 200 lbs.
Tires: 26 x 1.25 2-ply
Tire Pressure: 22 psi
Drive: Chain
Historical Note: G-519 Bicycle
Though the US Army had used bicycles during WWI and for the years leading up to WWII, it did not standardize procurements for the two-wheelers until 1942. According to military records, the Army's official use for bicycles was: “To provide transportation for personnel engaged in dispatch or messenger Service.”
Giving the bicycles the designation G-519 (or M305) the Ordnance Department adopted the “Bicycle, Military, Universal in October 1942. A version of the Westfield Columbia bike, it was equipped with heavy duty rims, spokes, a battery-powered headlight on the front fender, a tool bag attached to the saddle for basic tools. In addition and basic tools were carried in a tool bag attached to the Persons saddle.
Westfield Columbia manufactured the bike as the Series MF and MG. Huffman did likewise, as the Model 81, though with minor differences. Westfield Columbia also made bicycles for the US Marine Corps. These have frame numbers preceded by “MC.” The main differences between the MC and Army MG bicycles is that the former does not have holes in the front fender for a headlight, and the rims are flat, bead-lock types fitted with special US Rubber tires.
Throughout the course of the bicycle's service life, which stayed in inventory until 1953 as “limited standard,” the G-519/M305 bicycle remained mostly unchanged.
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John Adams-Graf ("JAG" to most) is the editor of Military Trader and Military Vehicles Magazine. He has been a military collector for his entire life. The son of a WWII veteran, his writings carry many lessons from the Greatest Generation. JAG has authored several books, including multiple editions of Warman's WWII Collectibles, Civil War Collectibles, and the Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. He is a passionate shooter, wood-splitter, kayaker, and WWI AEF Tank Corps collector.
