The Viking "Cage" Match!
Kenyon had varying versions of that ss "cage" to reduce chafe on halyards. When we had the standing rigging replaced in '02, the mast was pulled, and I can testify that there's almost no frickin way the original ss machine screws could have been removed with the spar in place some fifty odd feet up in the sky. Like most ss fittings in the alum spar, they were pretty solidly bonded into place by corrosion byproducts.
OTOH, ours came out "better than ever" after being removed and mirror-polished. Our masthead rig has what some folks call port and starboard Wing halyards for flying sails. And, if you jibe the chute over after hoist, it will be on the "wrong" side of the whole assembly.
Since sisterhsips have made numerous blue water trips, including Hawaii in race mode - spinnaker up day n night, I presume that the builder's solution is workable if not optimal, IMO.
Great photos posted, BTW. Thanks to all.
Ours looks a lot like Jerry's, FWIW.
Loren