Paul, I have 3 Gillott frames from 1947 to 1949. All have Simplex hangers. I
believe they used the hanger off the gear but cut the top of the "claw" off
and neatly brazed the lower part with the boss to the dropout. These frames
all have control lever brazeons too. These were available from the 30's I
believe. The Simplex dropouts with cast hanger was introduced in the early
50's IIRC.
The 4 speed 1/8th derailleurs were possibly pre war but were the old single
pulley Champion Du Monde type. Simplex introduced the Alloy armed Tour de
France in 1946. I have seen this described as the Tourist. It had a split
inner pulley cage to allow chain fitting. The steel armed version came out
in 1947. Simplex had a 5 speed 3/32 freewheel in 1935 so their derailleurs
must have been capable of handling it.
What is your application? Mark Stevens, Dingwall. Scotland