Hmmmm,
I'm not so sure that Fontaynalloy was made by Barra. I am staring at a Fontaynalloy as we speak, and the construction details just don't jive with typical Barra construction. That does not mean anything for sure, of course, as Barra could have changed his details a bit. But, there were a number of welded aluminum makers in France from what I understand.
What we need is confirmation based upon documentation or from someone who was on the scene at the time who really knows.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO
> Mick Butler wrote:
> >
> > My special thanks to Mr. Kenneth Denny who kindly replied on this subject.
> > It appears that the Fontalloy was produced by Nicola Barra in France for the
> > Fonteyns & Co. Ltd. 14 Percy Street, London, W.1.
> >
> > Best wishes and be lucky. Michael Butler Huntingdon UK.
>
>
> I have reprints of two of the Fonteyn catalogs available on my web site at
> http://www.velo-retro.com that show the bike under discussion:
>
> Fonteyn Catalog, 1939 -- 24 pages, London importer of accessories from
> France, Belgium and Italy, beautifully illustrated. Great Simplex info,
> including a very informative section on the proper set-up of the Simplex
> Champion du Monde Professional derailleur. Highly recommended! B&W
> cover. $ 8
> Fonteyn Catalog, 1950 -- 48 pages, London importer of accessories from
> France, Belgium and Italy, beautifully illustrated. Great Simplex info,
> including a very informative section on the proper set-up of the Simplex
> TdF derailleur. Highly recommended! B&W cover. $ 10
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> South Pasadena, Southern California
>
> .