Michael Allison wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I have to wonder about those braze-on fittings. I
saw > my first Ephgrave in 1961 with the original
owner.
> The frame was a marvel of style and elegance. It had
> braze-ons for the levers and cables. (snip)
and Chuck Schmidt added:
"Here's an interesting paradox. Campagnolo had a braze-on version of their downtube shift levers in 1951 but they didn't become commonplace on Italian bikes till decades later. Also their innovative Gran Sport derailleur that was introduced in 1951 was initially shown equipped with bar end mounted shift levers."
I know of a few British-made bikes from the early '50s with Campy braze-on DT bosses, including my 1952 Hobbs Blue Riband. Speculation is that mine was probably special-ordered by someone in N. America (it has the elusive "X" prefix serial number which seems to be associated with frames made for "export") who specified the bosses as well as the Campy rear dropouts and braze-ons for a Gran Sport front derailer cable stop.
I have heard from a Hobbs BR owner who bought his Blue Riband new in 1949 (the mistakenly-identified "Ed Litton" BR) that the Campy DT bosses were available as an option even then (and an expensive one). One of the three other guys that bought Hobbs frames in the same order got the braze-ons and dropouts, as he remembers. That guy was the envy of all his friends. BTW, this order of 4 Hobbs bikes in 1949 was delivered to Vancouver, BC. At least the one I know of also has an "X" serial number.
The oldest Campy catalog I've seen is 1951 (thanks, Chuck!), but maybe these bits were available before then.
Dave Ross
Portola Valley, CA