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Part 10: Fishplate

10	Fishplate (flat bracket)	1914	-	24	30	24	N°00

The parts

This part wasn't introduced until 1914. Once it was introduced, however, it became one of the very few Meccano parts included in every single outfit made, even the tiny 000 and "Pocket" Meccano outfits. It was named "Flat Bracket" until 1945, when it was renamed "Fishplate".

Chronological variations

The very first flat brackets were thicker gauge steel, almost rectangular, with slightly rounded-off corners. Very soon after they were introduced they were changed to the fully-rounded ends we're all familiar with. Since then there have been no significant changes other than to the finish.

The blueprint for this part shows it as being manufactured from 0.24'' half hard steel, originally drawn up in June 1915. The drawing to the right originates from 1944, when the fishplate was known as the "flat bracket".

Changes noted on the drawing are as follows:

22/6/15	Original drawing
1/9/44	Redrawn
18/7/45	Meccano marking deleted
16/8/51	Finish changed to Brunofix
9/2/54	Finish changed to Nickel Plate

It is interesting to note that the blackened finish ("Brunofix"), necessitated by the restriction on the use of Nickel during the Korean War, was in place until February 1954. It is commonly thought that this finish was only used during 1951-52, but this blueprint would seem to indicate that it was used all through 1953 as well.

The original blueprint for this part can be seen by clicking here.  

Variations and oddities

None known

Dealer spare parts boxes

Individual part numbers

Part numbers for the parts on this page are as follows:    Unique part numbers
For identification, each variation has been given a suffix to the main Meccano part number. These suffixes consist of a two-character code for the colour, and if there are many variations, a further number and sometimes letter code to identify each variation. See the bottom of the 'Parts' page for further details.

You don't need to worry what the codes are, just click on any one for a photograph.

The button above turns on and off the display of DMS numbers (where they are known). The DMS (Development of the Meccano System, Hauton and Hindemarsh) published in 1972 and added to in 75 and 82, suggested part numbers for every variation of every Meccano part. These numbers aren't perfect, but they are recognised and also referenced in the EMP (Encyclopedia of Meccano Parts, Don Blakeborough).

Description	from	10
Flat bracket, thick gauge, partly radiused ends	14	.ni1
Flat bracket, Radiused ends (standard pre-war part)	15	.ni2
Flat bracket, Matt olive green (Mech Army) †	39-41	.ma
Fishplate, nickel plated (standard post-war part)	45	.ni
Fishplate, Black (Korean war part) †	51-52	.bs
Fishplate, Zinc plated	66	.zn
Fishplate, Brass plated	76	.mb
Fishplate, Iridescent	78	.ir
		ALL

Please send us pictures of missing parts! Hints and tips for pictures
Take a picture of the part in very good light, preferably on a plain yellow background, without a flash but with a tripod.
Ideally, trim the picture to about 150 pixels per inch of the Meccano part (unless the part is particularly big or small), save it as a reasonably good quality jpg file with a filename of exactly the part number, for example 19b.ni1.jpg, and email it to us by clicking on 'Contact us' at the top of the page. Thanks!

• A greyed-out box shows that no part exists for that colour combination.
• Part number codes with a green background have an attached picture of the part, just click once on the code to show a photograph of that part in a separate window.
• Parts marked "†" were temporary or economy parts, or existed only within specific themed outfits. The previous part continued throughout or afterwards.

Further information

Richard Payn      (at 9:00am, Fri 11th Feb, 11)

I have some dark blue metallic small parts too. Actually, if you look at the 1 set manual from 1978, the pictures of models in colour show various small brackets in dark blue instead of the more usual dull brass (iridescent appeared later)even though those on the front colour show dull brass.

Rob Mitchell      (at 7:43am, Fri 11th Feb, 11)

I'll partially confirm Tim's metallic blue 10s: I've a pair in DB and both the colour match and finish make it look factory applied.

T Gant      (at 2:50pm, Tue 8th Sep, 09)

Painted fish plates sometimes show up in pre-war colours. I have an example in dark green. During the pre-DB/Y period when various experimental colours were tried at the Factory, Meccano spray-painted up a batch of both fishplates and large washers in a metallic blue, along with the usual strips and girders.

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