Derrick, and Billy, I dont have the Data Book but I have copies of the drawings from Le Cycle done by an amateur here in the UK. The drawing of the dropouts is from January 1949 ''Ala Mostra de Milan'' The quote for the drawing reads ''Le moyeu O.M.V. et ses roulements annulaires qui viendront s'encastrer dans les alveoles des pattes de fourche.''
Billy wrote ''Hi Derrick. Your hub and dropout configuration appear on p.97 of The Data Book [1949] available from Chuck Schmidt's Velo Retro. There's an accompanying drawing of a hollow axle and a Simplex skewer similar to a Hi-E skewer [non cam type]. There may have been a description of this in [Vintage] Bicycle Quarterly but my memory is hazy. Good luck. ''
The Simplex skewer drawing appears underneath but there is no way the
skewer fits the hub or dropouts. This highlights a problem with the Data
Book. Assumptions are made without proper examination and translation of the
original text. (No offense Billy) The dropouts and hubs are probably sold as
units to frame builders. The quick release (blocage) is effected by the
pivotting bearing holder with its tension bolts. The annular bearings are
sealed by the 'alveoles' or sideplates on the dropouts. There is no hole in
these for the Simplex dropout.
A fine bike with interesting features- and thankfully with its wheels!
Mark Stevens Evanton Scotland.