HPG and Sons Metal puzzle

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Metal Puzzles: HPG 9 (type 3)
Undated (195?) set of metal puzzles

Box of nine metal puzzles consisting of lid and base in two colour printed card. Approximately 200mm x 165mm x 27mm (w x h x d) with an internal brown card dividers all of equal size.

Instructions are included on a black and white, single sided piece of paper (approx. 250mm by 139mm) and contains text descriptions only - no diagrams!

By H. P. G. & S. Ltd, London, Made in England. (H.P Gibson & Sons Ltd, formed 1919 aka Gibsons Games)

The edges of the box have the following strap-lines: "A Household Entertainer", "Causes Endless Amusement" and "Problems for Young and Old".

Good quality set with some unusual puzzles along with some standard ones. Same puzzles as HPG9 type 1.

	HPG Instructions [sic]	Comments
	The "Curley" Puzzle Hold the small curl by the left hand and the loop of the hanging piece by the right side. Slide the loop piece along the bar to the large curl, then lift upside down and work around the large curl about half way. This piece now hangs properly and is worked round further until it hangs loose in the curl. It will not come off here but is pushed up until the small loop can now be lifted through the curl and the two pieces are apart. To assemble, put the small loop through the large curl and work the large loop round the large curl but in the opposite direction.	Type 4 puzzle. Double twisted spiral diagonal pass-through. Line up the two linear gaps at 90 degrees and move on around the spiral, twisting the one piece around to do the second pass-though. The bottom dummy spiral is just there to fool you.
	"The Spring and Ring" Puzzle Hold the spring in the left hand, place the ring over the right hand end and let it hang freely on a coil. Then give it a fairly strong twist to the left - it is then locked on the spring, and cannot be removed without a twist in the opposite direction. The ring is not supposed to come off at the joint of same.	Type 4 puzzle. Spring and single circle twisted manoeuvre. However, modern versions of this puzzle also allow for a flip of the ring over one end of the spring - making it a double puzzle.
	"Three-One Twist" Puzzle This puzzle is very similar to the three link puzzle except that with these three rings, in the sliding apart movement you have to give them an outward and upward twist. Otherwise the solution is the same as the three links.	Type 1 puzzle. Triple crossed-circle diagonal pass-through. Basic shapes with simple separation. Line up the two linear gaps at 90 degrees and pull apart, again and again.
	"Two Nails" Puzzle To solve this ingenious puzzle hold the head of each nail between the thumb and forefinger of each hand, then cross the right to the left and the left to the right, by a little twisting and manipulation the two nails may now be made to draw apart. To put together again insert the point of each nail through the circular bend and with a little gentle twisting the two will become attached.	Type 4 puzzle. Two distorted nails in a twisted manoeuvre pass-through. Familiar item shapes with simple separation. Line up the two linear gaps at 90 degrees and pull/twist apart. I don't fully agree with their description and find it easier to hold the sharp ends of the nails.
	"The Three Link" Puzzle It will be noticed that two of the links are hanging on the other side. These two are to be got apart first by sliding away from each other, this movement takes place inside the third link. You now have a small chain of three links which will be found to slide apart in the same way as links one and two. To assemble, join the two links by sliding together then attach the third link. To complete, slide together links number one and two.	Type 1 puzzle. Triple paperclip diagonal pass-through. Basic shapes with simple separation. Line up the two linear gaps at 90 degrees and pull apart, again and again.
	The "Maze" Puzzle Put ring on as indicated by arrow, then by moving from hole to hole, take it off as indicated by second arrow. This puzzle can only be done properly by taking the ring off at "OFF" on the puzzle putting it on at "ON" as indicated.	Type 5 puzzle: Maze which involves going through a series of positions, in a particular order to eventually separate the parts. Quite clever this one and not very common.
	Half-Rings Hold one half-ring in each thumb and finger with the straight centre bars parallel. Bring the left-hand ring down and to the right so that the straight bars are in line. Now turn the left-hand ring over until the straight end of the right-hand one passes through the round end of the left hand one. You will now find the left-hand ring is now on the right. Next pass the round end of the present left-hand one through the straight end of the present right-hand one. It will now be seen that the two half-rings will come apart by sliding the round end of the rings from each other. To assemble reverse the process.	Well if you understand that you are a better person than me! Type 4 puzzle. Twin barred-circle twisted manoeuvre pass-through. Basic shapes with simple separation. Line up the two linear gaps at 90 degrees and pull/twist apart.
	Triangles Take any two of the triangles, one in each thumb and finger, then slide them apart where the ends of the wires are parallel. It will now be seen you have a short chain of three single triangles. No. 1 can now be detached from No.2 in the same way, also No.2 from No.3. To assemble reverse the process.	Type 1 puzzle. Triple triangle diagonal pass-through. Basic shapes with simple separation. Line up the two linear gaps at 90 degrees and pull apart, again and again.
	The "A.B.C." Puzzle Move C through the various grooves until you get it to the groove in the middle bar in the B - this is where it comes apart.	Type 5 puzzle: Maze which involves going through a series of positions, in a particular order to eventually separate the parts. Not very common puzzle but a little too easy.