A point on the timing of double butted spokes , it seems to change in its years of exsistance. I can only say that my first pair of hand built racing wheels built in 1950 were indeed double butted stainless steel. It took me nearly a year to pay off the costs on credit because they were very expensive at the time.
As for the star marked on some name make of spoke I just checked up in my workshop and among the many bundles of spokes I have a star appears on appears on some which I consider different makers. So is this marking not unique to any one manufacturer or to many others makes through the years ?.
Doug Smith
North Dorset
UK