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NJ's list indicates that all 9a's had flat head crimped axles. Were some flatheads more domed and smaller diameter than others? Or should some be classed as dome heads? Looking at two of mine the axles are distinctly different, one set look almost like nails!

tandyfan wrote:...one set look almost like nails!

The very earliest axles were nails! I have models in my collection where the ribbing on the shaft is plain to see, and the prime example of nail use is surely the pivot on the 2a.

Idris wrote:

tandyfan wrote:...one set look almost like nails!

The very earliest axles were nails! .

....and tend to rust & pit quite easily too.
numi

I've got 9a's as well with both types of axle end, obvious flat heads and some which could pass for domed.

The early axles were indeed nails. I had an 18a (part of a batch) that never had the nails (axles) crimped. The models were fully assembled with spike ends. When the flat head axles were replaced by dome head axles, mixing of the two types was common on many different models and it's pretty easy to find a model with one flat axle and one domed axle.