Bob Reid asked for information about "Prior" hubs. "Prior" was a brand name used by Maillard in the early 1950s. Maillard of course later used the brands Atom, Normandy and Maillard. The hub barrel may well be marked "Made in France". I have seen both high and low flange models.
Back in August last year I posted a message that said:
"In 1950 Australian Jack Hoobin won the World Amateur Road Championship held in Belgium. In the period following his win ads in Australian magazines referred to the fact that he used "Prior" hubs, pedals, bracket axle and clutch. The ads carry the name of a local agent and reference to: Etblts. M. Maillard, Constructor, Inchville (Seine Inferieure), France. The ads also refers to the brand names Atom and Mega."
I have since spoken to the son of that Australian agent, who has confirmed that "Prior" was indeed a Maillard brand. He told me that his father claimed that, through his association with M. Maillard, he was selling the world's first single piece alloy hub. Certainly the Prior hub that I have on one of my bikes from 1950 is a single piece alloy hub. I suspect though that others may also claim this crown.
I will send Dale a couple of photos of Prior components in case he wishes to get started on his Maillard page.
regards
Rolf Lunsmann in beautifully sunny, and now thankfully clear of bushfires, Sydney, Australia.