Brazed downtube shifters were definitely used by the French in the 40's . - - - - My first post to this group! Woo hoo! My name is Jan and I'm married to the retro-grouch Peter Johnson. I don't know too much about bikes, but I do know that my legs are jello after a 50 mile ride today (on my custom steel Peter Johnson frame) with the first organized Dinosaur Ride in Berkeley, CA.
Some real LEGENDS of cycling from the 70's were there, including George Mount, Flip Waldteufel, Calvin Trampleasure, Gavin Chilcott, Bob Muzzy, Tom Hardy, and dozens more. It was very cool to see all these guys on the road together again. And some of them were even wearing WOOL! Three women did the ride as well: Bianchi USA Head Honcho Sky Yeager; hotshot 80's racer Liz Chapman; and myself... and then there were those 45 good looking guys!
ciao