Huret Touriste Léger Rear Derailleur: 1940's - Alloy Plates (EXC)

This rare rear derailleur out of France circa wartime to post-war 1943 to 1950.  It was designed around the materials Huret could source during the war, thus the piano wire. The pulley cage slides along a rod that is held in place by two thick rods (these are often referred to as ‘piano wire’ designs). A helical spring pushes the cage towards low gear, with the cable running directly between the outer plate and the cable clamp bolt on the inner plate pulls the pulley cage towards the high gear. The pulley cage is another elegant rod design, with chain tension provided by a spring (attached to the button on the pulley cage close to the guide pulley) that runs along the chainstay to a clip just behind the bottom bracket. (via Disraleigears)

This is the Touriste Leger with alloy guide plates (complete weight 185g), whereas the otherwise identical Touriste Route had steel guide plates (complete weight ~225g). This one is missing its piano wire mounting bracket, and weighs 169g.  Luckily this missing part is literally just bent piano wire, if you can't find one it wouldn't be difficult to make one.

Condition

Excellent used shape! Bearings are smooth. Light wear.  Includes housing in great shape.

*SOLD AS-IS. I do not have the knowledge base on these early derailleurs to ensure that everything is present and in working order. I have compared to catalogs when possible though.  Enjoy the lower than market value prices knowing there won't be refunds available on these. I've done my best to show everything at various angles in the photos, study them carefully.