Hi Donald, Very interesting speculation, but much as I would like to believe it, I know it wasn't a factory modification. I own the Cinelli with the square hole in the BB. It was cut out by the same dolt (or team of dolts) who sawed off the chainstay bridge, drilled tiny holes in odd places around the frame & chainwheels, and ruined a nice pair of KTS pedals by cutting out the metal between the toe clip mounts. The hole in the BB was not made with a mill; it was cut with a grinder or saw. If it had been milled, the corners would most likely have been rounded. Also, way too much metal was removed. Whoever did it was no frame builder, and certainly had no idea of the stresses a bottom bracket has to resist.
By the way, the frame is being painted right now. I hope to have it back next week. Photos to follow.
Michael Shiffer
EuroMeccanica, Inc.
114 Pearl Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
(914) 668-1300
euromeccanicany.com