View Full Version : Harley-Davidson Winged "Bar & Shield"
talbot-2
01-27-2011, 04:21 PM
What is the history behind the wings and the Harley-Davidson "Bar & Shield" logo? Are the wings part of the current official Harley-Davidson logo? Was the "Bar & Shield" introduced in 1911? Just curious....
Chris Haynes
01-27-2011, 11:28 PM
1911 is most likely right. The 11768-30 Bar and Shield pin has wings on it. It appeared on the horn in 1936.
Tommo
01-28-2011, 11:44 AM
I put this page up somewhere on a previous post.
Sargehere
01-28-2011, 03:44 PM
Allen Girdler, in The Harley and Indian Wars credits a Davidson sister, ("Lucy?" I think?) with drawing up the original Bar & Shield trademark in the earliest years of the company.
I was under the impression that the bar and shield originated in 1910.
O.K. there was a winged hour glass in 1909 and I'm sure I've seen a bar and shield for 1910. I'll do some digging to see if I can find early evidence of the wings with the bar and shield. Now I'm wondering.... Herb where are ya?
Chris Haynes
01-28-2011, 06:51 PM
It actually is shown in the 1910 sales brochure. It is not shown in the 1909 or 1908 brochure. However the 1908 Sales brochure proclaims, "FIFTH YEAR 1908" I guess ole Lacy was doing his thing.
I was under the impression that the bar and shield originated in 1910.
Regardless of when the "Bar and Shield" originated the question was about the addition of wings which appears to have occurred in the '30s. I suspect it had to do with various factors, the popularity of wings as an expression of speed, Nationalism, air superiority, etc. The National recovery Act of 1933 adopted the Eagle, along with many other businesses at the time. The actual eagle with the bar and shield appeared as a fender emblem at the same time as the NRA connection. (H-D used the NRA logo on letterheads of the time). After that it disappeared for many years to be re-born with the AMF influence. Now most modern Harley riders think it was always there. (Of course they believe all the other spin the MOCO puts out!). The winged pins which mimicked flying wings continued all along with many variations.
Robbie
http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu183/Rubone/DCP_2256.jpg
silentgreyfello
01-28-2011, 07:40 PM
Was the "Bar & Shield" introduced in 1911? Just curious....
Yes, the Bar & Shield first appeared on the RH side of the toolbox in 1911. The Oak Leaf was on the left side. I can't find one orig photo of a 1910 and earlier with the Bar/shield, nor have I seen that on the orig paint bikes that I have photos of.
Hmmm.... It looks like Tommo's post explains it! The only question I have.... is it just a new wing style or is it completely new for 1930? I'm going to guess just completely new....
Not to hijack this thread to badly but Robbie that's a great collection you have there. I circled on in red.... can you tell me what vintage it is? I've got one like it.
O.K. my photobucket is being difficult.... and my attachment isn't legible.... :mad:
In your long line of winged pins ... I'm referring to the second one from the top...
Cory, Second from the top is the late '60s version that appeared along with the rest of the diamond emblem upgrades that were an attempt to "modernize" the look once again. it has a -65 part number. It was the last of the line (until all the licensed product crap of the '80s).
Robbie
KNUCK
02-06-2011, 10:16 PM
I think Gary Bang had the rights to some type of bar and shield back in the 70's or so, sold it to Harley.
HarleyCreation
02-11-2011, 12:47 PM
I put this page up somewhere on a previous post.
Tommo & all:
What year accessory catalog is that pin out of?
I have a 1932 catalog and the winged Bar & Shield emblem is there but without a year in the part number and I've long wondered what year catalog it first appeared in.
Probably 1930, but was it?
Thanks!
HarleyCreation
02-11-2011, 01:26 PM
You guys have already hit most of the high points on this interesting subject. Harley used winged wheels and other stuff as early as 1908 in advertising literature, the Bar & Shield came along in 1910, and the winged Bar & Shield emblem appeared around 1930.
My guess is that riders were probably already using similar wings and Bar & Shield combinations on home made stuff, but that is just my own theory. But since wings on other symbols had been around for decades, the combination is pretty obvious. Doesn't our own AMCA symbol come from the old FAM winged wheel logo?
Rub alluded to the c1930s Harley-Davidson eagle and Bar & Shield fender ornament. Has anyone ever seen one? Own one? It appears in the 1932 accessory catalog but I'm not sure if it's in other year accessory catalogs. Anyone know?
BNSONS
02-11-2011, 03:36 PM
Rub alluded to the c1930s Harley-Davidson eagle and Bar & Shield fender ornament. Has anyone ever seen one? Own one? It appears in the 1932 accessory catalog but I'm not sure if it's in other year accessory catalogs. Anyone know?
They were prone to break when they were on the front fender so Harley stopped selling them as fender ornaments. They put them on notepad stands and gave them out to dealers.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/bnsons/eagle9.jpg
Regards Dave
bobbyt
02-12-2011, 08:41 PM
Excelsior used a winged logo in the late teens . . .
Bob Turek
#769
Dave Minerva
02-13-2011, 07:35 AM
I have a eagle note pad just like the one pictured and a eagle fender ornament and the note pad eagle is a little larger than the fender ornament
BNSONS
02-13-2011, 08:35 AM
I have seen repop ones like this example. Note the features aren’t as sharp as a real one & they don’t have the locator pin on the base to keep it from vibrating around.
Regards Dave
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/bnsons/3.jpg
HarleyCreation
02-16-2011, 11:35 AM
So that's what a real one looks like. Nice. They would seem to work better as a desk item than a clunky fender ornament. Thanks!
They were prone to break when they were on the front fender so Harley stopped selling them as fender ornaments. They put them on notepad stands and gave them out to dealers.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss16/bnsons/eagle9.jpg
Regards Dave
HarleyCreation
02-16-2011, 11:38 AM
If I've seen the "X" winged logo I can't remember it.
What was it like?
Wings were there from the beginning.
Motorcycle as Flying Machine!
Excelsior used a winged logo in the late teens . . .
Bob Turek
#769
Tommo
02-16-2011, 12:12 PM
Herb
Sorry but I missed your request for the date of the accessory catalogue, MAY 1st 1930.
HarleyCreation
02-17-2011, 02:11 PM
Herb
Sorry but I missed your request for the date of the accessory catalogue, MAY 1st 1930.
Thanks Tommo!
Figured it was probably that catalog but didn't hurt to check.
If an original 1976 "Liberty Edition" ever shows up in the hands of a club member we could do an excellent story that would detail all this Harley wings and eagle business from ancient to modern times.
bobbyt
03-03-2011, 08:31 PM
If I've seen the "X" winged logo I can't remember it.
What was it like?
Wings were there from the beginning.
Motorcycle as Flying Machine!
The Factory introduced the winged logo just after they purchased Henderson.
It consisted of a red oval with "Excelsior" and "Henderson" and an X in the
middle; then wings on each side. I suspect it was an effort to try to combine
the brand names, now that they were under the same roof. It only seems to
have been used for a short time.
Bob Turek
#769
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