My Swan Mabie, Todd

[linearM]

I recently purchase a beautiful Swan Mabie Todd lever filler. I am wondering if someone could help me with the approximate year of manufacture. Also, what do the markings on the gold bands mean.

 

As I am looking at the engravings on the barrel I see on the far left the Swan image with TRADE MARK underneath.

to the right of that I see the following:

 

"SWAN" SELF FILLING PEN

MABIE, TODD & Co. LTD

MADE IN ENGLAND

 

On the nib: MT & CO On the gold bands: MT&CO 9 .375 anchor B

14CT LTD symbol?

#2

 

[Cob]

That's a lovely looking pen. I should like to see a photo of the nib which may not be original.

 

The hallmarks on the gold bands tell me that the bands were hallmarked in Birmingham in 1926. The nib should look as follows:

 

 

That nib was on one of a number of SF2s I have sold.

 

The only nibs I have seen stamped MT & Co are the smaller ones fitted to Mabie Todd Jackdaws, so if the nib is a good fit on your pen that it is unusual.

 

Some of the earlier SF2s had Mabie Todd New York nibs:

 

 

Cob

Edited February 16, 2018 by Cob

[linearM]

Here is a poor image of the nib. Notice that there seems to have been an overrun when making the slit in the nib. The nib is smooth and with some flex.

 

I assume the B represents Birmingham but where did you get the date from? Is the band 9 CT gold and what does the .375 represent?

[Wardok]

The anchor means birmingham, the B is the date letter. 375 means 9 carat - 9/24 = 0.375

[linearM]

Thank you both.

[Cob]

  On 2/17/2018 at 12:12 AM, linearM said:

Here is a poor image of the nib. Notice that there seems to have been an overrun when making the slit in the nib. The nib is smooth and with some flex.

 

I assume the B represents Birmingham but where did you get the date from? Is the band 9 CT gold and what does the .375 represent?

 

The extended slit is perfectly normal, and often found on early nibs. My guess is that that is a New York nib. Why "MT & Co" is anybody's guess.

 

Mabie Todd England was a limited company from 1915 and there were no English Mabie Todd nibs until 1922 (they were made by the W. L. Merriam company, later acquired by Mabie Todd). An English nib would surely read MT & Co Ltd - that is I think so.

 

Cob

[peterg]

I've just acquired a similar aged Swan and the nib says

 

MABIE

TODD

& Co

N Y

 

While on the barrel it states MABIE TODD & Co Ltd

[Cob]

  On 2/19/2018 at 11:06 AM, peterg said:

I've just acquired a similar aged Swan and the nib says

 

MABIE

TODD

& Co

N Y

 

While on the barrel it states MABIE TODD & Co Ltd

Yes: is it marked SF2 (usually on the cap) or 2 S-F (end of barrel).. The pen would be most likely pre 1923. Except of course with pens that are over 90 years old one never can tell.

 

Cob

Edited February 19, 2018 by Cob

[peterg]

In typical MT numbering fashion... there is no number!

 

It's a large pen - 143 mm in BHR, with lots of rings on the flat top cap, and a side clip with Pat Jan 19 1915 on the brow and slight fluting either side down to the ball.

[Cob]

  On 2/20/2018 at 10:50 AM, peterg said:

In typical MT numbering fashion... there is no number!

 

It's a large pen - 143 mm in BHR, with lots of rings on the flat top cap, and a side clip with Pat Jan 19 1915 on the brow and slight fluting either side down to the ball.

Like this one?

 

 

I sold this one last year: it was numbered on the end of the barrel 242/30

 

Cob

[Greenie]

If we are heading off into the Black and gold pens, it would make for a great new thread.

[peterg]

  On 2/20/2018 at 3:48 PM, Cob said:

Like this one?

 

 

 

 

Cob

Looks the same pen but very different ring pattern! Thick at the bottom, thin above; thick in the middle (yes!); thick around the top and thin below (mirroring the bottom). Not content with engraving (his?) initials on the barrel, they are mounted on a plaque!

Will bring it along next month (if I remember).

[Greenie]

Black and gold pen thread is coming soon..... many patterns or multiple thick, thin, textured, and smooth bands. Most with plates attached for engraving.