John Pergolizzi wrote:
> >
> (cut)
> > Has any one in the group ever seen a Campagnolo box like the one
> in my
> > hot little hands?
>
> http://tinyurl.com/
>
> > Box reads"cambio velocita
> > (senza tendicatena) e galletti automatici" . Roughly translated
> as "quick
> > changer(without chain holder) and automatic handle(meaning quick
> release).> Or even the lettering style on any thing else campy?
> Any ideas as to date?
> > Chuck? Steve?
To which Chuck wrote:
> What follows is just my opinion:
>
> The box looks to me like it would be Campagnolo's first style of
> box.
> The style of the typefaces used on the box predate the start of
> Campagnolo, S.R.L. in 1933. This box would have been designed by the
> box manufacturer with the typefaces they had on hand. Note that they
> didn't use Campagnolo's logotype (the famous script was designed
> by the
> printer of Campagnolo's letterhead).
>
> As to the meaning of "Galletti automatici"...
> The No.12 catalog (1953) I copied not only had the original Italian
> parts descriptions, but also translations into German, French, Spanish
> and English. "Bloccaggio" is the "Quick Release" and "Gallettino di
> registrazione a pressione automatica brevettato" is the "Patented
> automatic pressure adjusting wing nut" on the end of the QR.
>
> The Campagnolo catalogs list "Mozzi Calibrati" or "Calibrated Hubs"
> which I believe refers to the fact that the wing nut (gallettino)
> holdsit's adjustment or "calibrati" while you open and close the
> lever to
> release or secure the wheel.
>
> The "tendicatena"...
> That refers to part #1031 "Tendicatena ciclomotore" which is
> "Chain-strecher for Cycle-motor." The picture shows a chain tensioner
> (sprung arm with pulley that clamps on the chainstay).
I agree that this is indeed a very early box. I recently dispatched to Japan a much larger box that had the same exact wording. I know that mine originally contained the long lever version of the Cambio Corsa, with the two levers and a set of 17 toothed drop-outs, hence sold to people who wanted to have their own bike built with the Cambio Corsa by their local framebuilder which at the time were usually found in every somewhat major town.
As far as the translation goes, Chuck's translation is very correct in a litteral sense but in the bike industry would more correctly indicate:
Tendicatena: would have been viewed as the Vittoria Margherita or Super Cahmpion derailleir that all used a chain tensioning device, so to be 'senza tendicatena' would mean like the Cambio Corsa.
Galletti: is the common Italian name give to wingnuts, so galletti
automatici should be interpreted to be automated wingnuts, i.e. Q/R.
>From the size of the box, I would guess that this box originally
contained the serrated axles for a cambio corsa. With regards to age, I
guess this to be immediately post-war when all material would have been
hard to find. Chuck's comment about not using the 'Campagnolo logo' is
correct but could easily be explained by the difficulty in finding any
packaging material during the war years and immediately there
following. I have not seent he box personally, but believe it to
indicate a telex address which would also point to a post-bellum
period. This is however quite a find and most definitely a true find.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ