The Medici lugs were designed by Mario and I believe were intended to be used on his frames - a cast version to provide the same look of the stamped ones that were more labor intensive to use. They are supposed to look the same so of course they look the same. But that doesn't make them the same.
If memory serves me correctly, Jim Cunningham argued that Confente was unaware that his lug design was being "appropriated" by Medici. This was part of the breakdown in friendly relations.
Perhaps more importantly, the lugs on Medici frames don't have the elegant cutouts that Confente frames feature. Also, the curves of the lugs on the Medici lugs are not quite as refined - they don't flow right. A Confente frame has an elegance that Medici never quite captured.
Mike Kone in Boulder CO
> Now I am no expert in this field, however I did own a Medici a few years ago as
\r?\n> well as staying at a Holiday Inn Express one night, and someone told me that
\r?\n> Mario had designed the lugs that were on my Medici and had used them on the
\r?\n> Confente frames. In looking at the CR website on the Confente page as well, as
\r?\n> having seen one in person, I see the exact same set of lugs that were used on
\r?\n> the Medici. If they aren't the same lugs then I must be Mario's offspring. Have
\r?\n> a look for yourself and you be the judge. In the Medici folder at
\r?\n> http://photos.yahoo.com/
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\r?\n> Mark Poore, no Italian blood in my veins, just an Italian tube between my legs
\r?\n> Slatyfork, WV
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