Schefflers Metallbaukasten

Metall-Baukasten(1)

Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(1)

(Plasticart/Plasticon)

Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(2)

This was a Meccano-like construction system with a hole spacing of 12.8mm and mainly black parts. It was made in Burgstädt, East Germany from 1950 to around 1985. There were three main phases to the system. The sets and models however remained virtually unchanged during all three phases.

From about 1950 to about 1970, it was called Schefflers Metallbaukasten and was manufactured by Arthur Scheffler. It appears that initially the flanged plate did not have any cutouts. However it is thought that this lasted for only a very short time around 1949/50.

From about 1970 to about 1980, it was just called Metall-Baukasten (Metallbaukasten on manuals) and was manufactured by VEB Metallspeilwaren Burgstädt.

From about 1980 to the mid 1980s, it was called Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(1) (Metallbaukasten on manuals) and was manufactured by VEB Plasticart. In this phase the conversion sets were renumbered to 4, 5 and 6 (instead of I/2, II/3, III/4) and the Elektro/mech set was given a number - set 7. This phase of the system has also been named Plasticart (Plastikart) after the manufacturer.

In around 1985, the company dropped the 12.8mm system and brought out a 10mm version of the system (Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(2)) to make it compatible with the 'Construction' system. This revised system was identical to Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(1) except for the hole spacing. It used the same manual and boxes as the earlier system. Most of the parts except (obviously) the strips and plates were unchanged. It must have caused a lot of confusion at the time as the box lids were absolutely identical. This was almost certainly just intended to be an interim phase while new sets were developed to try and complete with 'Construction'.

Very shortly afterwards Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(2) was replaced by Plasticon. Note that many of the parts in Plasticon were identical to Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(2).

Phase 1 - Schefflers Metallbaukasten (c1950 to c1970)

Manufacturer / Distributor

Artur Scheffler, Burgstädter, East Germany

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

Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here

NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for SCHEFFLERS do 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 various manuals/leaflets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.

A couple of photos of very early Scheffler where the flanged plate has no cut-out. Probably around 1949 as the model drawings are dated 11/1948.
Added 26/06/20

Some model drawings of very early Scheffler where the flanged plate has no cut-out. The model drawings are all dated 11/1948, although unfortunately the text at the bottom of them has been clipped on most of the drawings.
Added 26/06/20

Here is a link to a website that shows a circa 1950 Scheffler set where the flanged plate has the cut-out. The very similar model drawings are dated 9/1949. Click here
Added 26/06/20

A Schefflers advertising leaflet
Added 14/01/20

A Schefflers price list - could date from 1957
Added 14/01/20

A Schefflers manual circa 1962
Added 14/01/20

A Schefflers manual circa 1970
Added 14/01/20

Photos of Schefflers sets.

Phase 2 - Metall-Baukasten(1) (c1970 to c1980)

Manufacturer / Distributor

VEB Metallspwaren, Burgstädter, East Germany

Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here

NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for METALL-BAUKASTEN [1] do 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 various manuals/leaflets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.

A Metall-Baukasten brochure.

A Metall-Baukasten manual

A slightly different Metall-Baukasten manual - only the pages that are different are included.

Photo of a Metall-Baukasten set.

Phase 3 - Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(1) (c1980 to c1985) (also known as Plasticart)

Manufacturer / Distributor

VEB Plasticart, Annaberg-Buchholz, Burgstädter, East Germany

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

Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here

NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for BURGSTÄDTER [1] do 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 various manuals/leaflets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.

A Burgstädter manual. Suspect that this is an early transition manual as the model photos are the same as the previous phases but with the reduced number of models in the later Bergstadter manuals.

A Burgstädter manual. This again is a fairly early manual as on the rear cover it shows the renumbering of the conversion sets.

A later Burgstädter manual.

Photos of Burgstädter sets.

Phase 4 - Burgstädter Metallbaukasten(2) (c1985) - 10mm version of the above system.

Manufacturer / Distributor

VEB Plasticart, Annaberg-Buchholz, Burgstädter, East Germany

NOTE - The 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages displayed further up this web page, may also include information on this system/era.

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

NOTE - Note that it is believed that the manuals for the previous phase were used for these sets.

Some photos of Burgstädter(2) sets. These came from an Ebay listing and the seller has confirmed that the hole spacing is 10mm. Note the flanged plates without cut-outs and nickel plated parts.
(Added 26/06/2020)

Some photos of a Burgstädter(2) set 3. These came from an Ebay listing and the seller stated that the hole spacing is 10mm. Note the flanged plates without cut-outs and nickel plated parts.
(Added 25/08/2020)

Some photos of a Burgstädter(2) set 6. These came from an Ebay listing and the buyer has confirmed that the hole spacing is 10mm. Note the flanged plates without cut-outs and nickel plated parts.
(Added 26/08/2020)

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