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a black bicycle with a wooden seat on a white backgrounda black bicycle with a wooden handlebar attached to ita close up of a bicycle with a black seat and handlebarsa close up view of a bicycle ' s front wheela close up of a bicycle with a chain attached to ita close up of a bike with a wooden handlebara black pipe with a wooden handle on a white surfacea close up of a bicycle with a chain attached to ita close up of a bicycle with a chain attached to ita close up of a bicycle with a chain on the front wheela black bicycle with a black seat and a black handlebara close up view of a bicycle with a wheel on ita close up of a bike with a chain attached to ita close up of an old bicycle with a broken tirea close up of a metal pipe on a white backgrounda close up of a wooden handlebar on a bicyclea close up of a bicycle with a handlebara close up of a bicycle tire with a chain attached to ita close up of a metal object on a tablea black bicycle with a wooden seat on a white backgrounda close up of a bicycle with a chain attached to ita close up of a bicycle with a chain attached to ita close up of a bicycle with a handlebara close up view of a bicycle ' s front wheela close up view of a bicycle ' s front wheela close up of a bicycle with a chain attached to the front wheel
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VALOIR POUSSE-CORNET Maison de ventes

348 - EQUIPMENT. A folding bicycle known as the ‘Gérard’, with a r…
See original version (French)

Estimate €3,500 - €4,500
Sale commission
Description
EQUIPMENT. A folding bicycle known as the ‘Gérard’, with a reinforced steel folding frame painted black, comprising the top tube (horizontal) and the down tube (diagonal), each cut in the middle to accommodate the folding mechanism, clamping sleeves (or clamps) – two sliding cylindrical metal parts fitted with wing screws (or clamps) that lock the frame in the open position; this particular model is in particularly good condition, complete with its original drivetrain, chain and sprockets, the original pedals, a NOLY leather saddle, and its 24-inch black rubber tyres by GLOBE HUTCHINSON, size 600 x 38 - 24 x 1 1/2 (previously replaced), handlebars with the original wooden grips, and, most notably, the original leather front and rear mudguards, which are rarely found on well-known bicycles; the frame is marked MC 558 on the single seat post, and the fixing bolts are present. The push-button rear brake and the bell cover attached to the handlebars are missing. BE In 1893, Captain Henri Gérard designed this model to provide the infantry with unprecedented mobility by creating a hinged frame that folds in half. Mass-produced thanks to the industrialist Charles Morel, this innovation enabled soldiers to carry their bicycles on their backs using integrated shoulder straps. Adopted by the French army, it gave rise to the famous Chasseurs cyclistes units of the First World War.
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About the sale MILITARIA 1914–1918 & 1939–1945
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Lot description modified on 10/02/2026 at 4:26 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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