What era is this JC Higgins 24" bike? This bike has no serial number, I've looked it over thoroughly. Nothing on the bottom bracket, nothing on the dropouts. I don't expect to find out the exact year but seems there should be a way to narrow it down based on the components. I haven't been able to find many JC's with this particular fork (rounded top as opposed to the flat top). I haven't yet found information on what years skip chains were used but this bike has one.
1949 - 1950 JC Higgins built by Murray.  The serial number is stamped into the bottom bracket.  Time and rust will make it difficult to read.  Keep scrubbing.  MOS is the prefix for Murray of Ohio for Sears.  L, M, N, O, P will indicate the year.

This bike is missing the tank.



Here's a picture of one complete with tank and rear rack. Some models had painted tanks rather than the exhaust ports. Some had painted rims, some had chrome rims