Hoping somebody can help identify this part. It's a 1 x 2 brick, but has a square hole on one side. Many a part has got me stuck, but rebrickable has helped me many times. Can't seem to find this one.
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3I've never seen a brick like this, very interesting! I am wondering if it might be a non-production prototype piece. The bricks' profile looks exactly like brick# 989, but missing the "finger top" of course.– JohnnyBSep 6, 2019 at 3:22
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2 Answers
Like @JohnnyB commented, this is the lower part of 76385 Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Locking with Single Finger On Top: 
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1That's exactly what I commented already, 989 is one of the alternate part numbers. I didn't see any evidence in the photo that it had been forced apart, and the scratches on the exposed surface suggest it's been this way for a long time. What is your guess on how it came to be?– JohnnyBSep 6, 2019 at 6:52
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Either a manufacturing error, or breakage after purchase. The first is more probable though, as I imagine any force strong enough to break the "finger" would damage the base as well.– zovitsSep 6, 2019 at 7:25
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1@htmlcoderexe since the assembly of sub-parts is a complex and expensive operation, I assume the alternative was considered to be even more complex and expensive. A probable reason is the complexity of the mould halves, of which the side including the "finger" would have to have two moving sub-parts for forming the circular cavities on the sides. Forming the finger sub-part as a separate unit allows both sub-parts to be moulded by a simple two-part mould without any moving components. If it's still not clear, please ask a new question, so that pictures can be added to explain the process.– zovitsOct 6, 2021 at 8:02
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1@zovits I think I understand, the "finger" piece is molded "sideways" while the brick is molded "upright" and then they're combined? Oct 6, 2021 at 10:10
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1@htmlcoderexe exactly, that's what I suspect. Note however, that I don't work for Lego, have no relevant experience in injection moulding, and can only speculate based on what I have read and watched about the topic.– zovitsOct 6, 2021 at 10:32
Well, between my comment and zovits "seconding" the idea, I think it's safe to assume we've established what this part "was". I did a lot of searching earlier online, looking through people's collections of non-production and prototype rare parts and couldn't find this "version" of the part. So, whatever the story of how it came to be, I would certainly consider this to be a rare keepsake. Here is a photo of the inside of these bricks with the square insert from the "finger" easily identifiable.
I couldn't bring myself to attempt a disassembly since I apparently don't have many of these and they aren't the more common color of Black and Dark Gray. Perhaps Rin Rio-Oki will happen upon this question and take the initiative of dissecting one? Fingers crossed ;)
