...they still look this way after HOURS with the bronze wool. The dark spots are down to bare metal and the patina textured areas are places where the chrome is krinkled. While the mechanicals still work on these derailleurs, old age and the elements have gotten the best of the chrome. When I diassembled them for cleaning the protected areas still had some nice shine!

The condition is not bad, considering I found it in an unheated barn where it had recided for the last 15 years. Prior to that the owners lived in southern CA and it probably spent most of its life in a backyard shed or under a carport. I had thought the paint was in better condition, but that was before I began removing layers of dirt to reveal the nicks and scratches. Amazing that the hand painted pinstripe and the decals are in such good shape.

See the above posts and questions about the wheels which are temps for the picture. The original spokes are shot and the rims don't look all that good as well. The hubs are slighlty oversized high flange alloy ones made in France. The front hub has wingnuts. The freewheel looks original and is the one spec in the SLDN, 15-25 and is matched with the Huret chainrings (50-47). I'll try to remove the FW this week. If I get it off I believe it can still be used along with the hubs.

Thanks for all the advice. I've decided to pass on the NOS Ideale #43 saddle. It will be a challenge to make this bike 100% original so there's no need to bother. Besides, the Ideale I already have, shows nice age appropriate patina for this ride. It's a better match.