I have found a 1939 Raleigh catalogue which clearly shows stainless spokes used on a hub gear with the double bend ends as you have them. I was a retailer in the 50/60s and have never seen these, although it was a known way to replace a broken spoke in an emergency behind a large cog.
However it is still crossed 4 times, and the spokes from the inside of the flange are in opposite directions as expected.
1938 catalogue quotes spokes as chrome plated, so it may be that the stainless used in later years was more ductile, and the machine that formed the ends was able to cope.
Keith
However it is still crossed 4 times, and the spokes from the inside of the flange are in opposite directions as expected.
1938 catalogue quotes spokes as chrome plated, so it may be that the stainless used in later years was more ductile, and the machine that formed the ends was able to cope.
Keith