Wayne and Michael, note the correct the spelling of Avant Courieur. It is
Coureur as in the French for "runner". The title in English is "Front
Runner" . Clauds used the Axe type lug for this model up until 1949,
accurately described by Mike as a chunky 'Fleur de Lis". The detail on the
front of the head tube looks like a Mediaeval axe. The Avant Coureur for
1950 on had the long spear shaped lugs with large cutouts and sides that
finished in very elegant curves. This sounds more like Waynes' description.
Both types were Bi lam. They used stamped plates which were curved then
tacked to the tube ends. The assembled tube/lug assembly was then shaped to
fit its adjoining tube and then fillet brazed in place. In the case of the
1950 -on A/C the long "lug" is considerably longer than that available if
using a standard lug. Holdsworth tried the same system in the mid 50's with
their Whirlwind. The stamped plates were fussy in the style of Hetchins but
without the Mojo. They even wrapped 4 of them around the brake bridge /seat
stay junctions.
Let me know the frame number Wayne and I can date it for you.
Mark Stevens-worn out in Dingwall, Scotland after a 700 mile round trip to
clear a shed of old oily tat plus a URAGO.