You mean like these?:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
I believe that these were, indeed, just retainers to keep the adjuster assembly from falling out of the caliper arm during shipment/handling. I also believe that they were intended to be tossed out when the caliper was installed. I always did. However, I've seen quite a number of built-up bikes over the years where these retainers were left on the adjuster, just like in the picture. I've always removed them, but I've left them on the bike in the picture because, to the best of my knowledge, the bike is as it was first assembled in early 1977. A "virgin" assembly, so to speak, and therefore a real time-capsule, so I've decided to leave them for now. That bike is interesting for a number of reasons, that's just one of them. Cirque attendees will get to see this interesting time-capsule bike.
I believe that there were other versions (leather, felt) as well, for both Campy and other calipers, but the most common were the blue pressed-paper ones with the stamped Campy logo. They actually turn brown, and then just disintegrate, when left on the bike and subjected to the elements. Another "tell-tale" about a bike's history when you find them.
20 days and counting.
Wayne Bingham Lovettsville, Virginia USA
On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 3:20 PM, Tom Sanders <tesanders@comcast.net> wrote:
> I just got a beautiful set of Record brake calipers. Of an era to have a
> nutted set up, straight bladed QR levers, etc. Now here's my question.
> These brakes have a small keeper on the lower reach of the barrel adjuster
> bolt, below the caliper arm. Meant to keep things from falling apart,
> obviously. These items have a hole that the threaded bolt goes through,
> and a small tab with a Campagnolo Logo on it. I have never noticed these
> before, in spite of owning a few pair of NOS brakes.
>
> I asked around a bit and found folks who said that these were perhaps once
> leather, then some sort of felt. Mine appear to be card board. Further,
> mine are held secure with tiny O rings, but I believe this latter may have
> been the idea of the previous owner.
>
> Were all new brakes shipped this way with this keeper? If they were made
> of different material at different times, is there a time line for the
> variations? I've owned a couple of dozen sets of similar used brakes, yet
> never seen these things before. Could they be rare?
>
> Tom Sanders
>
> Lansing, Mi USA