Hope you all get this email and find it of some interest. Regarding British lightweight lug manufactures, the four biggest makers were Chater-Lea, Brampton,Sun and Vaughan's later Dixon-Vaughan. The later was the only one that would cast a lug to your own pattern. Les and Lou Ephgrave used Vaughans as did Stuart Purves and Claud Butler . Most of the lightweight dealers purchased their Chater, Brampton and other makers lugs through Brown Brothers a huge wholesaler. They even got their tubes from this source as well. Brown Brother actually sold "Granby Tapered Tube sets" to any builder. They were even listed under the Granby name in their catalogue. Brown Bros sold foreign lugs called Continental which I think Ecla(check spelling) made for them and BBL. I can only repeat what Alf Hetchin told me personally all those years ago that he used Chater, Brampton and Vaughan. It is high likely that he got Vaughans to cast to his own patterns this is what this particular firm was all about. Their own lug style the Vaughan was not very popular and only Horace Bates used them in any numbers. No the mainstay of their production was small to large run specials for the various lightweight makers to their own design. As a schoolboy I visited Hetchins, Pat Hanlons and Jack Baguley's most weeks from 1960 to 64. Our club used Hetchins for parts, Hanlons for wheel repairs and Baguleys for tubs. I got on good terms with Alf as I knew a little Yiddish and he thought it funny and strange that a Christian kid could swear and curse in it. Finally I come from a cycling background my Father and uncles were involved with the Willesden, Actonia and the Spartacus. The last was very Commie and had many Jewish members who used Hetchins exclusively after the demise of Selbachs. My father-in-law was ex Edgeware and Brentfield CC and worked at Charons a well known North London lightweight firm. So I have gained a lot of knowledge from tem and their cycling mates I only wish I had time to research Vaughans I am sure you will find he was a major lug supplier for Alf. What a pity no-one had the savey to interview Dick Swann ex Hetchins and Macleans manager.
Thats all for now. Keep those wheels spinning, in your memories if not still on the road. Be lucky Mick Butler Huntingdon UK.