MICA Junk Copies

[Idris]

I have been told that the junk from the MICA Rag & Bone Cart differs slightly from the Lesney originals, the positioning of the ejector rings being one such deviation.
Is any Member able to post photographs of one or more original Lesney castings and the later MICA copies, highlighting the differences?

[Moyboy]

I have just packed away all my MICA copies but still have originals to pack.Main difference is the weight. Original mazac is far lighter than the white metal

[Idris]

Original mazac is far lighter than the white metal

Unfortunately, that only works if you have at least one of each available for comparison purposes.What I'm looking for is something to enable visual identification.

[Idris]

Original mazac is far lighter than the white metal

Unfortunately, that only works if you have at least one of each available for comparison purposes.What I'm looking for is something to enable purely visual identification.

[charliep]

Hi Idris,
Managed to dig out my old rag & bone with original load of junk. The yellow cart is the Mica re-issue. The original junk is lighter as Moyboy pointed out.
If you need more info, please let me know.
Charlie

[Idris]

Thank you for taking the time to make those excellent photographs, Charlie.
It is clear that the MICA copies are not only lighter in weight, but also lighter in colour, and appear to have significantly more casting flash than the originals.
I need to study the photographs in more details, but would it also be correct to say that the MICA bed-end has ejector marks on the top and bottom rails whilst the original doesn't, and that the original tin bath has an ejector mark inside, right in the centre of the base whilst the copy doesn't? I also have the idea that the slats of the original crate have ruler-straight edges, whilst the copy has a slightly wavy edges.

[YYS4BOB]

The original green cart is the rarer version of the original issues. Nice.

[charliep]

Idris: "Would it also be correct to say that the MICA bed-end has ejector marks on the top and bottom rails whilst the original doesn't, and that the original tin bath has an ejector mark inside, right in the centre of the base whilst the copy doesn't? I also have the idea that the slats of the original crate have ruler-straight edges, whilst the copy has a slightly wavy edges".

Hi Idris,
This is what I found:
Mica bed-end has ejector marks on the top and bottom rails; original does not. Mica bed-end is slightly heavier.
Mica tin bath has no ejector mark inside; original does. Mica tin bath is much heavier.
Mica crate has a slightly wavy edges; original crate has ruler-straight edges. Mica crate is much heavier.

Hope this helps. All the best.
Charlie

[Moyboy]

Also differences on the bike frame with cast spigot at bottom - the saddle may been original but broken off in Charlies example

[Tinman]

Great post. the rag & bone cart is one of my favorite early models.