This is a (possibly) Taiwanese copy of a mid 1970s Shimano Skylark - right down to the large squarish typeface of the logo on the outer parallelogram plate.

It omits so many of Shimano’s later, cost saving, features that I think it is a very early derailleur for Taiwan. Notably, it has the swivelling adjustable outer cable stop, the adjuster screws with springs to stop them loosening (rather than the later plastic piece) and the cable clamp on the front knuckle (not on the outer parallelogram plate). This last feature makes this Saxon likely to be an earlier design than my Lubao, and probably the earliest Taiwanese derailleur in this collection.

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1. •Brand: Saxon
   

2. •Country: Taiwan
   

3. •Date of introduction: 1980?
   

4. •Date of this example: unknown
   

5. •Model no: unknown
   

6. •Weight: 303g including hanger plate
   

7. •Maximum cog: 28 teeth
   

8. •Total capacity: 28 teeth
   

9. •Pulley centre to centre: 54mm
   

10. •Index compatibility: friction
    

11. •Chain width: 3/32”
    

12. •Logic: top normal
    

13. •Pivots: two sprung pivots
    

14. •Material: steel
    

0298/J