[Classicrendezvous] NOS Gipiemme/Simplex parts clarification`

(Example: History:Ted Ernst)

Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 15:36:45 -0800
From: "John" <bikehunt@pacbell.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [Classicrendezvous] NOS Gipiemme/Simplex parts clarification`

I have acquired some NOS parts that I'm not familiar with and was hoping that the list could educate me.

The first is a set of shifters and derailleurs. The levers are very light, beautifully curved aluminum and say "Gipiemme". The front derailleur is clamp-on and has a small rectangular, copper-looking plate that says "Gipiemme". On the back it says "Brevete, Made in France". The rear derailleur says "Simplex, Brevete, sdgd, Made in France. Here's the part that confuses me, not being a seasoned aficionado. The box says, "sprint, cambio completo, derailleur group, groupe complet, de derailleurs" Then near the bottom, "Gipiemme, Made in Italy"?

The second item is a brakeset. The calipers say (on the front) "Gipiemme" and "crono sprint". On the back are the numbers, 40-52 and 087.03.84 Maybe the second number is a patent number. The levers are not drilled and say "Gipiemme" and have 8 little embossed chevrons down the front. The box says, "cronosprint, freni/brakes, paire de freins" and "Gipiemme, Made in Italy.

Can anyone enlighten me and tell me why the shifter group say Made in France and the box says Made in Italy?

Thanks in advance for any info.

John Dunn in Napa Valley