This was a strangely disappointing derailleur for a company that could be as innovative as Huret. Sure, it was strongly and accurately constructed. Sure, it was decently finished. Sure, it was very much in the style of the best selling derailleurs of the time. But, in 1940, it was essentially a copy of the 1935 Simplex Champion de France. You could possibly argue that it was even a tiny bit cruder than the Simplex Champion de France.

Perhaps it was something to do with the impact of the Second World War. Perhaps Simplex had gone into hibernation or, because of 'supply chain issues', could not churn out enough product to satisfy demand. Either would open a window for Huret to prosper by producing a, rather unremarkable, me-too product.

Some key features of this example may be:

• The hanger plate is plated with some kind of cheap, non-chrome, plating.
• The b-pivot bolt has a 17mm diameter head.
• The main arm is also plated with some kind of cheap, non-chrome, plating.
• And the chain guide is also plated with the same kind of cheap, non-chrome, plating.
• The large nuts that hold the sliding cylinder onto the main arm are aluminium.

• Derailleur brands: Huret
• Categories: Huret - before 1950
• Country: France
• Date of introduction: 1940
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: unknown
• Weight: 273g including 'hanger plate'
• Maximum cog: 26 teeth? (see Huret Dural Competition)
• Total capacity: 20 teeth? (see Huret Dural Competition)
• Pulley centre to centre: not applicable
• Index compatibility: friction
• Chain width: 1/8”
• Logic: low normal
• B pivot: sprung
• P pivot: none
• Materials: mainly steel, with brass main sliding cylinders and cable stop, and aluminium large nuts on main cylinder.