brooms

Here is a lineup of the 5 broom variations that I have, although I believe at least one more may exist.

 

Starting from the left to right we have:

 

-Red (mold 1 -- pre-production mold?)

-Brown (mold 2)

-Reddish Brown (mold 2)

-Reddish Brown (mold 3)

-Orange (mold 3)

 

So mold 3 is the most modern variation -- has a clear part number, LEGO logo and molding numbers placed between two ejector pin markings within the bristles. The tip of the bar is very flush with rather defined edges.

 

Mold 2 has three digits molded in the bristles, between two ejector pin markings (although sometimes the middle number is obfuscated by sinkage of the plastic). There is NO LEGO logo or part number, and the end of the bar is flat with a slightly rounded edge.

 

Mold 1 is where it gets weird, similar markings as mold 2 but with smaller ejection pin markings and the tip of the bar is perfectly rounded -- and it is this detail that has recently mystified me.

 

I have not been able to find a single broom in BROWN with this rounded tip. But interestingly, the set artwork for set 605 actually shows a Brown broom with a rounded tip. This was the only instance of the piece I was able to find. Any neighboring sets from the same year (1978) seem to feature artwork with mold 2. While I highly doubt set 605 contains the rounded tip, I am unable to confirm that claim as no unboxing videos exist (that I could find).

 

If this part exists, it would be extremely difficult to find due to its extremely niche nature, but nonetheless, I found this journey interesting, and wanted to share it!

 

If you have any more information, please leave a comment or reach out, as I am still looking for more details!

 

Now I wonder if a Red broom with a flat tip exists...

Done