Meccano Manuals
1901-1907
Mechanics Made Easy
In 1901 Frank Hornby launched his new constructional system under the name 'Mechanics Made Easy' (renamed 'Mecccano' in 1908). Initially there was just the one box.
In 1904 this initial box was replaced by three boxes:- A, B & C
In late 1905 an additional smaller 'Preliminary Box' was added.
In early 1906 boxes D and E were added.
By late 1906 the small Preliminary box was replaced by the slightly larger box X.
In late 1907 the system was renamed 'Simplified Mechanics' for only a short while until.....
In 1908 the system was renamed 'Meccano'. (The name had been registered in September of the previous year)
This page contains downloads of all the manuals published between 1901 and 1908 that I can find. For convenience they are split into separate years. Click on the thumbnail to download the required edition in pdf format. It also shows known editions that I don't currently have. Scans of these or any other editions missing from this page would be gratefully received.
1901-03
A late 1901 or 1902 instruction manual in English
(Added 09/09/2023)
1904
1904
The 1904 instruction manual in English only for Boxes A to C is awaited
1904
The late 1904 instruction manual in English and French for Boxes A to C (20 models)
Note that this is a scan of an exact copy of an original manual
(Added 24/12/2022)
1905
1905
The instruction manual for the late 1905/6 Preliminary Box (6 models).
Note that this is a scan of an exact copy of an original manual
(Added 24/12/2022)
1905
The late 1905 instruction manual for Boxes A to C (24 models) is awaited.
(Added 24/12/2022)
1906
1906
The early 1906 instruction manual for the Preliminary Box (6 models)
(Added 24/12/2022)
1906
The early 1906 instruction manual for the Boxes A to E (25 models).
(Added 06/03/2023)
1906
The late 1906 instruction manual for the Box X (8 models)
(Added 24/12/2022)
1906
The late 1906 instruction manual for the Boxes X to E (Last model 61).
(Added 24/12/2022)
1907
1907
The Simplified Mechanics instruction manual for Boxes X to E (last model 61).
(Note that all known copies of this manual have Frank Hornby's handwriting on page 2)
Note that this is a scan of an exact copy of an original manual
(Added 24/12/2022)