National Society of Metal Mechanics

Scope and Content

National Executive Council minutes, 1891-92, 1913-17, 1928-59; District Councils' minutes, 1934-79 (incomplete); Annual Reports, 1873-1946; Journal , 1918-21; rules, 1911-45; files re employers' associations and companies and subject files, 1920s-1980s; some branch minutes.

National Society of Amalgamated Metal, Wire and Tube Workers : minutes, 1913-19 (MSS.101/M/6/1).

Administrative / Biographical History

The Amalgamated Society of Brassworkers was formed in 1872. It changed its name to the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers in 1873, the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers and Metal Mechanics in 1905, the National Society of Brassworkers and Metal Mechanics in 1911, the National Society of Brass and Metal Mechanics in 1920, and the National Society of Metal Mechanics in 1944. It merged with the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section (TASS) in 1987.

The National Society of Amalgamated Metal, Wire and Tube Workers may have been formed by the National Society of Metal Mechanics in an attempt to cater for a different (and possibly less skilled) type of metal worker. The two organisations shared the same General Secretary and offices.

Reference: M. Totten, Founded in Brass (National Society of Metal Mechanics, 1972).

Arrangement

The records form part of the archive of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union (MSS.101).

Access Information

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

Acquisition Information

Most of the archive was placed on indefinite loan in the Centre by the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union in October 1987. More material was deposited by Birmingham Manufacturing, Science and Finance in January 1991. An additional deposit was made in 2000.

Other Finding Aids

Conditions Governing Use

AMICUS approval must be obtained before publication. There are no other restrictions on the use of this archive, apart from the requirements of copyright law.

Appraisal Information

This collection has been weeded for duplicates.

Accruals

Further deposits are not expected.

Related Material

Other records of the National Society of Metal Mechanics are also held at the Centre (MSS.411/MM) and were deposited at the Centre by Manufacturing, Science, Finance in January 2000. These items were integrated to this list in May 2008.See also the records of the Amalgamated Society of Brassworkers (MSS.79/AS)