new Gibson owner need help w brakes

[TrRe]

Just got a Gibson in pretty good shape, starts and runs all over. But the brakes are not working at all. Number on frame is S3397. What's up with the "S"? Engine is AEH C824969. I have removed the axle housings but how do I disassemble the axles or pull the brake rotors without destroying something?
 

[warbaby]

Those Gibson rear axles couldnt have been more of a water capturing and holding device if they had cast a large funnel into the boss above the brake band
enclosure!

No doubt the bottom of the metal band the brake lining was rivetted to has been sitting in a few inches of water for a few decades and has rusted away, leaving
just the lining there.

How do you get it apart ''... without destroying something?'' You probably cant. You can try a lot of heat and patience, but youre dealing with parts that have
been slowly rusting and seizing together since people liked Ike.

Theres a Gibson (support?) Group on Facebook that might be helpful, or at least sympathetic...
 

[Gibson_Registry]

A half a year late in reply I know. I do not visit frequently enough.

The "S" stands for Seattle model A. By this time the Longmont factory was online and their model A had a "L" prefix to the serial number. Also Seattle and Longmont As had Gibson's own rear axle by this point, vs. the narrowed automotive axle used on the earlier Gibson. Before that Seattle was the only factory site (and there was only one model: "The Gibson") and there was no prefix to the serial number.

A "D" prefix denotes a Longmont built Ds and SD prefix when Seattle built a D. Two years later Longmont would use SD as a prefix for their 'stylized' model D. When Seattle built an SD, the prefix was "SSD". Gibson prefixes can be a bit confusing. Both factories had their independent serial numbering schemes. Longmont pooled serial numbers for several models, making the total built appear larger than they actually manufactured.

-Doug
Gibson Registry
 

[Gibson_Registry]

Oh, and the Gibson group on Yahoo went away when Yahoo pulled the plug on all Yahoo Groups. The Gibson group is now over on Facebook.
-Doug