Originally Posted by
madpogue
This is exactly what I described above. 6603 FD, but 30/40/52, but since that's only 12t, the inner plate contacted the middle ring just as you describe.
I don't believe Shimano ever offered a 40 tooth middle ring. With the exception of D-A, Shimano triples had 42 middle rings before 10-speeds became standard and now most have 39 middles. Campy has produced some triples with 40 middles.