Search the Community

Admitting I have not read Steve Hull's excellent book cover to cover, I am a little mystified by an Onoto pen I have just acquired. It has an 18ct nib. No other vintage Onoto of which I am aware has other than a 14ct nib. The pen itself is one in the Streamline style. I will identify it properly later. The mottled red hard rubber barrel is labelled "Onoto The Pen" under which is, less clearly but present, "De La Rue & Co London", so that part is all correct. The nib has a heart breather hole characteristic of the brand and era, but whereas my nearest comparable pen has on the nib "DeLaRue // Onoto // London // 3" (most others insert "14c" between Onoto and London) this one has "DeLaRue // London // Onoto // 18ct" Has anyone encountered an 18ct nib on a vintage Onoto before? I can not say how it writes because the plunger washer is fossilised, jamming the plunger. In other respects it seems intact, although the slip cap is either a ring-in or again very unusual, having slight knurling around the top edge but otherwise apparently normal in appearance and matching the pen for colour and pattern.

Hi, I'm am new to this forum but have been a regular follower with help to my small collection. I've just added to it today with the purchase of the 18ct Parker 51 pen/pencil set. After purchasing it, I took it to a pen expert who informed me that the pen looks exactly like a 51, with an authentic 51 nib/filler/ all plastic parts. One of the reasons I thought about before buying the set is that it didnt make since for it to be faked. The gold scrap would be about £300, and the costs to manufacture a one off gold fake would outnumber the cost that I paid for the pen. However, he informed me that the pen does not have the feathered arrow on the clip, this got me a bit worried that I would not get my money back. This got me worried that it could be a fake, hence I posted here. I would appreciate it if anyone could authentic this set. I must also note that the Clio is hall marked for 18ct gold, and there is also a mrk for E.M? Thanks, Nikita