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Hello Gary,
I’m not aware of any specific guide for dating the steel boxes of erector sets. However, a little investigation and research could come close to dating your two set boxes. Greenberg’s Guide to Gilbert Erector Sets would be a great start. Also, on this website under “Erector Set Galleries” there are photos of the sets.
I would start the investigation with the color of the box. Are they red? For example, beginning in 1947, all of the metal box sets were painted red. Than what label is on the top of the box? Gilbert changed that over the years. Another clue is what is on the inside label? Below is a picture of my 1954 8 1/2 set. As you can see it doesn’t have brass corners.
The early versions like this 1946 and 1947 did have the brass corners.
Notice also the label and blue parts. That’s another clue. Hopefully your sets still have the inside label.
That should at least get you started in your investigation. Let me know if I can help any other way.
Best regards,
MichaelHello Gary,
That’s a good question. The P55 motor was only around for 3 short years. 1948 to 1950. The Girders and Gears website has a complete history of the erector motor.
History of the Gilbert Erector Motor
That’s a pretty rare motor you have. It was only produced for the top-of-the-line No 12 1/2 sets. That’s a nice set to have.
There is no book or video on hooking it up. Best thing to do would be to get the manual that came with the set. It’s possible one might come up on eBay or even a reproduction one.
I hope that at least gets you headed in the right direction.
Hello Gary,
I’m going to assume your No. 10072 is a 1958 “The Musical Ferris Wheel Set.” It was actually the first version of The Musical Ferris Wheel set and makes a superb display set. The attached photo is of the cover that came with my set which is original. The manual number is M3934. It has 84 pages including the covers.
I hope that helps.
Hello Douglass,
Unfortunately, I’m not fortunate to have a Hudson set in my collection. What I did find out was part “LR” is a “Special Drive Wheel” first appearing in 1931. I haven’t been able to find a photo of the “LR” part, as I don’t have a Hudson manual.
Hello Gary,
Bruce Hansen published the Erector Parts Guide from 1933 to 1962. I don’t believe he published one for earlier parts. I have an Erector Parts illustrated guide of which I have no idea who published it. (See photo below.) As I recall, it was purchased on ebay.
That guide list all or most parts, but is not very detailed. The illustration of parts, I believe, is taken from the manuals. The index for the parts list a 2 digit year at the end of the part listing (See photo below.), which I think is the first year that part appeared.
Of course you can always go to the parts list in the manual to identify parts as well.
I hope that helps a bit.