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Meccano parts (now working up to part 142)

Part 1: Standard Meccano parts

112½'' perforated strip
1a9½'' perforated strip
1b7½'' perforated strip
25½'' perforated strip
2a4½'' perforated strip
33½'' perforated strip
43'' perforated strip
52½'' perforated strip
62'' perforated strip
6a1½'' perforated strip
724½'' angle girder
7a18½'' angle girder
812½'' angle girder
8a9½'' angle girder
8b7½'' angle girder
95½'' angle girder
9a4½'' angle girder
9b3½'' angle girder
9c3'' angle girder
9d2½'' angle girder
9e2'' angle girder
9f1½'' angle girder
10Fishplate
11Double bracket ½''
11aDouble bracket 1''x½''x1''
12Angle bracket
12a1'' angle bracket
12b1'' x ½'' angle bracket
12cObtuse angle bracket
1311½'' axle rod
13a8'' axle rod
146½'' axle rod
14a5½'' axle rod
155'' axle rod
15a4½'' axle rod
15b4'' axle rod
163½'' axle rod
16a2½'' axle rod
16b3'' axle rod
172'' axle rod
18a1½'' axle rod
18b1'' axle rod
19a3'' spoked wheel
19b3'' pulley
19c6'' pulley
19gCrank handle with grip 3½''
19hCrank handle with grip 5''
19sCrank handle without grip 3½''
20Flanged wheel 1 1/8''
20aPulley 2''
20bFlanged wheel ¾''
21Pulley 1½''
22Pulley 1'' with boss
22aPulley 1'' without boss
23Pulley ½'' without boss
23aPulley ½'' with boss
24Bush wheel, 8 hole
24aWheel disc, 8 hole
24bBush wheel, 6 hole
24cWheel disc, 6 hole
25Pinion 25t ¾'' x ¼'' face
25aPinion 25t ¾'' x ½'' face
25bPinion 25t ¾'' x ¾'' face
26Pinion 19t ½'' x ¼'' face
26aPinion 19t ½'' x ½'' face
26bPinion 19t ½'' x ¾'' face
26cPinion 15t x ¼'' face
27Gear wheel 50 tooth 1¼''
27aGear wheel 57 tooth 1½''
27bGear wheel 133 tooth 3½''
27cGear wheel 95 tooth 2½''
27dGear wheel 60 tooth 1 5/8''
28Contrate wheel 50 tooth 1½''
29Contrate wheel 25 tooth ¾''
29Contrate wheel 25 tooth ¾''
30Bevel gear 26 tooth 7/8''
30aBevel gear 16 tooth ½''
30cBevel gear 48 tooth ½''
31Gear wheel 38 tooth 1''
32Worm gear
34Spanner
34aCombined Spanner/Screwdriver
34bBox Spanner
34cHex Spanner
34bBox spanner
35Spring clip
36Screwdriver
36cDrift
36aSpecial screwdriver
37Nut and bolt
37aNut
37bBolt
37cHex hut
38Washer 3/8''
38aPlastic spacer
38dWasher 3/4''
38dWasher ¾''
40Hank of cord
41Propellor blade
43Tension spring
44Bent strip stepped
45Double bent strip
46Double angle strip 2½'' x 1½''
47Double angle strip 2½'' x 1''
47aDouble angle strip 3'' x ½''
48Double angle strip 1½'' x ½''
48aDouble angle strip 2½'' x ½''
48bDouble angle strip 3½'' x ½''
48cDouble angle strip 4½'' x ½''
48dDouble angle strip 5½'' x ½''
50Eye piece with boss (slide piece)
51Flanged plate 2½'' x 1½''
52Flanged plate 5½'' x 2½''
53Flanged plate 3½'' x 2½''
54Flanged sector plate
52aFlat plate 5½'' x 3½''
53aFlat plate 4½'' x 2½''
70Flat plate 5½'' x 2½''
72Flat plate 2½'' x 2½''
73Flat plate 3'' x 1½''
74Flat plate 1½'' x 1½''
55Slotted strip 5½''
55aSlotted strip 2''
5757 Hook plain
57aScientific hook
57bHook loaded (small)
57cHook loaded (waisted)
57dWire hook
5858 Spring cord
58aCoupling screw for spring cord
58bHook for spring cord
59Collar
140yFour-hole collar
61Windmill sail
62Crank
62aThreaded crank
62bDouble-arm crank
127Bell crank
128Bell crank, with boss
63Coupling
63aOctagonal coupling
63bStrip coupling
63cThreaded coupling
63dShort coupling
64Threaded boss
65Centre fork
69Set screw
69aGrub screw (5/32'')
69bGrub screw long (7/32'')
69cGrub screw short (7/64'')
76Triangular plate 2½''
77Triangular plate 1''
95Sprocket wheel 36 tooth 2''
95aSprocket wheel 28 tooth 1½''
95bSprocket wheel 56 tooth 3''
96Sprocket wheel 18 tooth 1''
96aSprocket wheel 14 tooth ¾''
89Curved strip 5½''
89aCurved strip stepped 3''
89bCurved strip stepped 4''
90Curved strip 2½''
90aCurved strip stepped 2½''
94Sprocket chain (40'')
78Screwed rod 11½''
79Screwed rod 8''
79aScrewed rod 6''
80Screwed rod 5''
80aScrewed rod 3½''
80bScrewed rod 4½''
80cScrewed rod 3''
81Screwed rod 2''
82Screwed rod 1''
97Braced girder 3½''
97aBraced girder 3''
98 Braced girder 2½''
99Braced girder 12½''
99aBraced girder 9½''
99bBraced girder 7½''
100Braced girder 5½''
100aBraced girder 4½''
101Heald for loom
103Flat girder 5½''
103aFlat girder 9½''
103bFlat girder 12½''
103cFlat girder 4½''
103dFlat girder 3½''
103eFlat girder 3''
103fFlat girder 2½''
103gFlat girder 2''
103hFlat girder 1½''
103kFlat girder 7½''
103lFlat girder 1''
102Single bent strip
110Rack strip 3½''
110aRack strip 6½''
106Wood roller
106aSand roller
108Corner gusset
109Face plate, 2½'' diameter
109aFace plate, without boss
113Girder frame
111Bolt, ¾''
111aBolt, ½''
111cBolt, 3/8''
111dBolt, 1 1/8''
114Hinge
115Threaded pin
115aThreaded pin, long
116Fork piece, large
116aFork piece, small
118Hub disc
120Buffer
120aSpring buffer
120bCompression spring
120cCompression spring, ¾''
122Loaded sack
123Cone pulley
124Reversed angle bracket, 1''
125Reversed angle bracket, ½''
126Trunnion
126aFlat trunnion
(62)Crank
62aThreaded crank
62bDouble-arm crank
127Bell crank
128Bell crank, with boss
130Triple Eccentric
130aSingle Eccentric
133Corner Bracket, 1½''
133aCorner Bracket, 1''
134Crankshaft, 1'' stroke
136Handrail Support
136aHandrail Coupling
137Wheel Flange
138Ship's Funnel
138a-zShip's Funnels
139Flanged Bracket RH
139aFlanged Bracket LH
140Universal Coupling
142Rubber Ring, 3'' diam.
142aTyre for 2'' pulley
142bTyre for 3'' pulley
142cTyre for 1'' pulley
142dTyre for 1½'' pulley
155Rubber Ring, for 1'' pulley
155aRubber Ring, for 1'' pulley
143Circular Girder, 5½''
144Dog Clutch
144aDog Clutch (male)
144bDog Clutch (female)
145Circular Strip, 7½''
146Circular Plate, 6''
146aCircular Plate, 4''
147Pawl with Pivot Bolt
147aPawl
147bPivot Bolt
147cPawl without Boss
148Ratchet Wheel
151Pulley Block, Single
152Pulley Block, Double
153Pulley Block, Triple
154aCorner Angle Bracket RH
154bCorner Angle Bracket LH

A note on the source of the information above

Much of the information on the pages underneath these pictures is a result of diligent research by many people over the years. The starting point is "The Development of the Meccano System" (DMS) by R.R.Hauton and A.Hindemarsh, published by The Meccanoman's Club in 1972. There were two supplements to this work, in 1975 and 1982. The DMS catalogue was rearranged by Don Blakeborough, who added engineering drawings of each part and published the result as the Encyclopedia of Meccano Parts (EMP), which he publishes himself. Everything is also checked against the Hornby Companion volume 6 by Bert Love and Jim Gamble.

Much more work has been done recently, and since the use of the internet has become more widespread these publications have been challenged in some areas and further examples of parts have come to light and been shared. William Irwin and Richard Payn have researched the 1978/79 period in more detail and have corrected this area substantially. Where I have come up against contradictions in compiling these lists I have sought further clarification from various experts on the Spanner group, and we hope to improve the accuracy and scope of the numbering system on a continual basis. It goes without saying that I will probably have introduced errors of my own while compiling these pages, and of course they will be my fault. If you find any errors or omissions, please contact us and together we will be able to make this as accurate as possible.

Part 2: Rare and obsolete parts

This part is under construction, but in the meantime here's a list of links to the parts pages we've completed that aren't on the image above:

Note: many obsolete parts can still be reached through the 'standard' parts. For example, octagonal couplings are on the same page as the standard couplings, and sand rollers are on the same page as the wood roller. If in doubt, type the part number into the box at the top right of the page and click on "Go!" to find a part.

How to identify Meccano parts

Very early on in Meccano's history, competitors tried to jump on the bandwagon and copy Hornby's great idea.  It's estimated there have been as many as 600 different products made that are based on the original idea of bolting together parts with holes in them.  In the early days, Frank Hornby spent a huge amount of time and money chasing one US product in particular, American Model Builder.  He won, eventually, but as usual the only real winners were the lawyers.  However, these products caused Meccano to start marking all their parts, almost obsessively in some cases.  This makes life as a Meccano collector much easier!

An early Meccano stamping on a perforated strip, dating from 1917
Loading picture Stamping1917

As a general rule, just about all Meccano parts are stamped with the word Meccano.  There are plenty of exceptions, but this is the easiest way to be certain.  Nickel-plated parts weren't always stamped before or during World War I, but from then on just about every part that was painted (red, green, whatever) has been stamped.  If you have a green or red or zinc part that doesn't say Meccano on it it's almost certainly not Meccano.

A Meccano coupling, made in the UK in
the twenties, stamped Fabrique en Angleterre
Loading picture StampingCoupling

Another very convenient event helps us into the next decade.  In 1921 the French government decreed that all products sold in France must have their country of manufacture identified.  As France was an important export market, Meccano started stamping all sorts of parts with the words "Fabrique en Angleterre" (Made in England).  A surprising number of new Meccano collectors believe that these markings identify French parts, but of course they don't! They would say "Fabrique en France" if they were (although French parts if they were stamped differently tended to be stamped "Meccano France").

This law continued until 1926, although markings continued for some time after this (and stocks were slowly used up too, of course).  I have a December 1927 outfit where many parts are of the new double-tapped variety, stamped 'Meccano', and others are single-tapped and stamped "Fabrique en Angleterre". The change in stamping is closely related to the change from single to double-tapping, although it's not exact. There are double-tapped parts stamped in the older style. During the 20's, much brassware was stamped with at least the word "Meccano", and these parts are desirable to collectors. 

An angle bracket stamped Meccano France,
probably made in the early Belleville factory in the twenties
Loading picture StampingFrance

Subtle changes to the style of stampings can help to date a part, but they are not always absolutely reliable.  Although parts were made in France in a small factory during the 20's, and were stamped "Meccano France", the major French factory in Bobigny wasn't built until 1930.  The French factory at this stage supplied many of the export markets as well as its own.  The Liverpool was quite busy enough keeping up with the enormous demand in the UK.

Medium green single bent strip, stamped
Meccano Made in England, a very common marking
Loading picture StampingMIE

After the Second World War, the emphasis was on export sales to provide much-needed foreign currency.  The stamping changed to "Meccano Made in England", which identifies post-war parts easily.  This stamping carried on right through to the end of the Silver/yellow/black era.  Note, however, that flexible plates, particularly towards the end of this period, are very lightly stamped indeed and can be almost invisible. 

Markings changed to "Meccano England" starting with the zinc period (from 1970).  This continued into the Dark blue period, but several authoritative voices have suggested that not all genuine dark blue Meccano is stamped at all.  Fortunately for collectors, there is very little 'fake' dark blue in the world, so this is normally not an issue.  STOP PRESS: Richard Payn disagrees and states that all dark blue is indeed stamped, although some of it very lightly, and not always on some 3'', 3½'', 4½'', and 9½'' strips (as they were cut from longer strips). There are replicas around particularly of the longer angle girders and flat girders, which were always in short supply.

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