Carlos Giani      (at 4:17pm, Tue 10th May, 22)

The obvious solution would have been to use #38 washers. According to the "all parts" page, this part was introduced as soon as 1909, but was not present on any set untill 1922. I presume that in the early days, it was taken for granted that the "Meccanians" would buy parts at thire local dealer´s shop.

Michael Walker      (at 8:06am, Mon 9th May, 22)

Although this is a simple model, its construction nevertheless requires patience and skill, with such qualities still developing in the younger builder at which this outfit was aimed.

As the ladder's four steps are formed from 2½" Strips, each fixed by two Angle Brackets, the longer length of Meccano Bolts at that time would have added to the challenge of fitting them neatly in place.