Vintage toolkit - why a mirror?

[Specialeyes]

There I was, overthinking it and trying to find some mechanical explanation (I do like the inspection-mirror-so-you-don't-get-muddy idea) when in reality it probably is just so one can wax one's rafish moustache before entering the hostelry : a gentleman should always look his best, after all!

 

[Paulus]

I suspect the hair comb that went with the mirror has been lost.
A man has to keep up appearances after a long day in the saddle.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I left a speculative pair of bids on a "his 'n hers" pair of Dawes recently, and was lucky enough to win (a Super Galaxy and a rather lovely Galaxy Mixte).

The Super still had a saddlebag attached, complete with a canvas tool roll inside, which weighed about 1.5kg in total, including a full set of allen keys and multiple flat spanners (the 1970s kind, generally made of cheese).

2 items intrigued me though - see photos below.

One of which I found out is a Maillard Helicomatic freewheel lockring spanner, complete with built-in bottle opener and spoke key slots. The other is a small mirror (in a rather splendid 'Florida - the sunshine state' vinyl pouch). This set me wondering. The immaculate condition of these 2 bikes, combined with the extent of the toolkit implied to me that the previous owner was a keen and meticulous cyclist. Neither bike has a Maillard freewheel, I should add! I also suspect that 'he' rode a bit more than 'she' as his was a triple-equipped Super while hers was a double-chainset Galaxy... but what I couldn't work out was why you'd need a mirror as part of a toolkit?

So, great minds of Vintage & Classic, why would one need a mirror as part of a toolkit on a gentleman's bike?

Vintage tools.jpg

• Specialeyes
• 22 Nov 2020

Maillard and mirror.jpg

• Specialeyes
• 22 Nov 2020

I may not have the Dawes, but I believe I have a mirror like that one from Fort Lauderdale,1980s or 1990s.Perhaps a Woolworth model from that era.

 

[BalkanExpress]

I suspect he has the héliomatic tool only because it was not attached to the Peugeot, it was always a Peugeot, when he finally lost all patience with that truly useless bit of kit and threw the bike over a hedge.

As others have said, the mirror was then used to signal for a lift home.

 

[Specialeyes]

I suspect he has the héliomatic tool only because it was not attached to the Peugeot, it was always a Peugeot, when he finally lost all patience with that truly useless bit of kit and threw the bike over a hedge.

As others have said, the mirror was then used to signal for a lift home.

So manoeuvre, mirror, signal then!
Shome mishtake, shurely?