Very nice aquisition Unkie...I WILL go so far as to say its the Real Deal!. Jonesy My mention of flat ends was merely an assumption. Id been told may times of the Autos being a straight bar,but never seen one in real life. Mine as I mentioned is just a made 1/4inch bar . My assumption was that it may have had pressed ends to keep in in one piece so you wouldnt lose the bar. But since next to none exist,Id say over time they just got lost,thats why all the later models have bent ends .Either way Im happy cause I have this bar in my stash of goodies,and can now use it,With ceratainty its correct.
Now with Unkies Diagram and Example,Id say its time to rest this one up As Case Closed !
Your rope starter is correct in style Jonesy! whether its been made up or original,it is the type they used from the Rotomo right through. (although at the risk of offence,This could not be the original rope off your Auto,as the previous owner stated,As they Did NOT come with a rope starter option...Auto had Recoil only). In any case its still a coorect style example .I have a few of these,most are nylon rope now but I have one with old style cord that came with an original family owned Model 5S1...I like the Dog chewed look anyways. I can Just Imagine old man starting the mower and then the dog nicking of with its new chew toy!! lols.
As for the Edger,Who really knows. As far as im aware a patent existed,but was to dangerous to put into production. As unkie says,Ol man Victa was a very determined man. Also With production going so fast it was put on the back burner. But Im positive it was still in the back of his mind. Especially since it was re explored. on the Sheerline Model 6/9 chassis
Domt worry jonesy we will get there with a definate on the elusive start finish dates As the gaps keep getting smaller and smaller....
Two quick things to keep exploring... 1:What were the remaining Non Auto Model 4s Truly equipped with before the model 5 S1 Started?...ONLY Automatic left overs( Badges Fuel Taps,Groove cover nuts and of course bases) Or A Special badge somewhere in the mix?. 2: What was the Month/Date the Model 5 S1 Was realeased And what Serial did it truly start with?... A point to note is...If this truly is the first model 5 S1 released,would you not want your First 5 S1/flagship to be fully equipped or with at least a recoil starter and screen? The donation of this early 200,000th Victa would be given in my opinion as a True milestoone of Victas ever growing Success...Just something to ponder over:)
Great topics and discussion on the spanner and starter guys! Awesome
Id been told may times of the Autos being a straight bar,but never seen one in real life. Mine as I mentioned is just a made 1/4inch bar . My assumption was that it may have had pressed ends to keep in in one piece so you wouldnt lose the bar. But since next to none exist,Id say over time they just got lost,thats why all the later models have bent ends 
