Very possible.
I have only repaired one Rene Herse stem and interestingly enough it was fillet brazed but the filler metal was very copper in color compared to what we typically use today.
Dave Bohm
-----Original Message----- From: framebuilders-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:framebuilders-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Jan Heine Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 2:18 To: Amir Avitzur; framebuilders list Cc: Classicrendezvous Subject: [Frame] [CR] How was Philippe's Adjustable Stem Made?
At 6:55 PM +0200 4/20/10, Amir Avitzur wrote:
>I took an old Philippe "MajorTaylor" stem to the plater's recently
>to remove the old pealing chrome prior to polish & replate.
>
>Under the chrome I was surprised to find that it was made from two rather
>than three pieces:
>I expected three pieces: quill, lug and extension with some fillet brazing.
>
>Instead there was only a quill with a "built-in" lug and an extension.
>
>See photo at: http://www.flickr.com/
>
>It looks as if the built-in lug was bulge-formed.
>But bulge forming dies are expensive ... used only when the quantities
>justify the expense.
>
>Could there be another explanation?
It probably was welded. When you remove the chrome from an old Alex Singer stem or the hand-made lugs on a Rene Herse tandem, you find they are "one piece, all-steel." The pieces were gas-welded together.
Reyhand even built entire bike frames that way. He felt that the all-steel construction made for more uniform material properties of the frame.
Jan Heine Editor Bicycle Quarterly 2116 Western Ave. Seattle WA 98121 http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com
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