I’m no real expert on these things but I know of at least 3 versions of the basic wartime-style BFP.
There’s the 6A/616 which I think is the square topped version, then there’s the 6A/760 which has the rounded top. A lot of 6A/760s were converted from 6A/616s by having their top edges rounded off and the sec/ref no. restamped. You’ll often see the old 6A/616 stamping still visible but struck out.
The curved top was introduced so that the panel would fit into aircraft that didn’t have clearance for the two original upper corners. Have a look at a Mosquito cockpit for a perfect example where the panel is fitted tight up inside the curvature of the fuselage – in fact the upper mounting bracket is attached directly to the inner fuselage.
Talking of Mosquitos, some BFPs fitted to them had a rectangular cut-out section in the bottom edge below the T&S to allow clearance for the undercarriage lever locking catch when ‘up’ was selected. They still have the 6A/760 sec/ref no. though so I’ve always assumed it was a de Havilland mod. rather than an ‘official’ design.
There’s also the brass version you mentioned which is made from much, much lighter gauge metal but has ridges pressed into it between the instruments to stiffen it. Don’t know a lot about those so have no idea if they had separate sec/ref nos.?
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