From: John D Proch <johnprochss@yahoo.com>
I understand that pre 1956 Hetchins used all cast dropouts.
Regards, John Proch La Grange, Texas Thats not my observation, as one example, I have a 50-52 Nulli secundus, which many consider to be a Super Special like the eBay bike. The dropouts on my bike are stamped Chater Lea. On every pre-'50 hetchins I have seen with forged ("cast"?) dropouts, they were replaced prior to a respray. In the case of the eBay bike, if those dropouts were replaced (likely) it was long before the most recent re-spray, they are seriously knackered under the paint!
f.w.i.w.
e-Dale
Montagna lunga Colorado USA