Originally Posted by
dpicare26
yea I’m not seeing any inkling of a simplex stamp. Also the drop doesn’t appear hacked off, to me?
The reason we think it has been hacked off is that the old Simplex derailleur hangers were not compatible with other derailleur brands such as the Campy on your bike. People thus cut them off and used a bolt on ("claw") derailleur hanger. Also, behind the claw you can see the abrupt change on the frame's dropout from rounded at the rear to flat at the bottom.
Originally Posted by
dpicare26
I’m not sure I am in a position to go that route for the frame. So insure where I’ll go at this point. Would I risk damaging it if I just have it a good thrice over with some steel wool? I’ve never worked on a frame in such condition before.
Both steel wool and a derusting agent (a mild acid) will clean that frame without damaging it.
EDIT: I've just peered at the rear dropouts on the OP's first photo above, and it appears that the non drive side dropout has the same shape as the drive side dropout. In other words, it has the same abrupt transition from curved to flat. Let's see some better pics.
Also, is there any sign of chrome on the front fork?