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Primus Engineering Construction Sets

Primus Engineering construction sets were made from both weed and metal. They were made in England from 1913-1926

Manufacturer / Distributor

W. Butcher and Co. Ltd., Camera House, London, UK

Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for PRIMUS ENGINEERING

Maker
Butcher
System Type
Certain UK
Country
United Kingdom
Dates
1913 (see comment *1) to circa 1926
Material
Steel / Wood
Thread
5/32W
Boss Type
single-tapped
Boss Thread
1/8W (see comment *2)
Diametrical Pitch of Gears
38
No. of Parts in System
97 (see comment *3)
Hole Pitch (Spacing) (mm)
12.7
Diameter of holes in Strips(mm)
4.1
Diameter of the Bore in Bosses(mm)
4.1 (see comment *4)
Diameter of Axle Rods(mm)
4.0
Types of Nuts and Bolts
Nuts: square
Bolts: cheese (slotted)
Material/Finish of Nuts and Bolts
Steel with a Copper finish
Size of the Nuts across Flats (mm)
6.4
Bolt diameter (mm)
5.9(see comment *5)

Comments
*1 Or 14e. *2 Most, or 5BA? Some smaller. Later 5/32W. *3 Including Big Wheel parts. *4 Typical but up to 4.3. *5 For Bolts with slotted cheesehead look, but many others. Big Wheel N&B: 4x32 square nut and slotted mushroom head bolt plain brass 6.4 7.6-7.9.

The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here

NOTE : If the MCS document does not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.

The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided

Below there are manuals/instructions which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.


One of the first mention of the Primus Engineering system. It was in 'The Model Engineer and Electrician' magazine dated December 18, 1913
(Added 28/06/2019)

The first 1914 Primus Engineering instruction manual.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1915 Primus Engineering instruction manual.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1916 Primus Engineering instruction manual for sets 1 and 2
(Added 28/06/2019)

This 1916 Primus Engineering instruction manual is actually the 1915 edition with a stick-in label showing the 1916 prices.
(Added 28/06/2019)

This 1917 Primus Engineering instruction manual is actually the second 1914 edition with a stick-in label showing the 1917 prices.
This reuse of an old manual would be a wartime measure.
(Added 28/06/2019)

This is the 1917 Primus Engineering instruction manual with a "Prices Advanced" stamp on pages 3 and 7 to indicate it was issued in 1918.
Unfortunately it is without its front cover.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1918 Primus Engineering instruction manual for set 0
(Added 24/10/2020)

The 1918 Primus Engineering instruction manual for sets 1 and 2
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1918 Primus Engineering instruction manual for the Big Wheel set
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1919 Primus Engineering instruction manual.
(Added 18/10/2018)

The 1920/1 Primus Engineering instruction manual for set 0.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1920/1 Primus Engineering instruction manual.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1920 French Primus Engineering instruction manual.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1921 Primus Engineering instruction manual for the Big Wheel set.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1922 Primus Engineering instruction manual for the Big Wheel set.
(Added 5/09/2019)

The 1925 Primus Engineering instruction manual.
(Added 5/09/2019)

The 1926 Primus Engineering instruction manual.
Unfortunately the manual has no covers.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The Primus Engineering instruction leaflet for the clockwork motor.
(Added 5/09/2019)

The Primus Engineering instruction leaflet for sets A, B and C.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The envelope for the Primus Engineering Junior Outfit parts.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1917 price list for Primus Engineering
(Added 24/10/2020)

The 1917 trade brochure for Primus Engineering, showing their full range of products.
Unfortunately the original was in a very bad state.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1918 price list for Primus Engineering dated Marsh 1st, 1918.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The 1919 price list for Primus Engineering - undated.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1919 brochure for Primus Engineering.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 leaflet for the Primus Electric Motor
(Added 24/10/2020)

A photocopy of the 1920 Spare Parts price list for Primus Engineering - undated.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 leaflet for Primus Engineering.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1921 Gamages brochure for Primus Engineering.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1922 price list for Primus Engineering
(Added 24/10/2020)

The 1922 reduced price list for Primus Engineering - undated.
(Added 28/06/2019)

Three examples of the packing slip which came with Primus Engineering outfits.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The slip that came with Primus Engineering accessory outfits.
Before the 4a outfit was produced.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The slip that came with Primus Engineering accessory outfits.
After the 4a outfit was produced.
(Added 28/06/2019)

The letter that was sent to a winner of a Primus Engineering competition.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A postcard advertising Primus Engineering.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A series of photos showing the construction of the Primus Engineering railway carriage.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1919 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1919 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1920 advertisement for Primus Engineering from 'Punch' magazine, dated December 15th, 1920.
(Added 28/06/2019)

A 1921 advertisement for Primus Engineering from a paper/magazine.
(Added 28/06/2019)

Page content last updated - 24th October 2020