Any Advice Please Re: Onoto Pen

[SchrodingersCat]

Hi all.

g]

I recently unearthed this fountain pen ("Onoto" Self filler) amongst my late father belongings. After some research on the internet I am aware of it's age and history and that it is a pen of some interest. After seeing one or two examples on Ebay, I am also aware that is of some value as a collectable item.

However I would appreciate some further advice if anyone out there is knowledgable about this particular pen.

Firstly, the examples I have seen have all had a black finish. Does this mean that this is a rarer example of the brand? Would this have any bearing on it's value?

Secondly, the pen is in unrestored condition. Would a restoration increase it's sale potential? Or is this immaterial to collectors?

Any ideas about the current value of this item?

 

The pen has been tested by dipping. The nib writes pleasantly and is quite springy, though the tines are tight together.

I have been unable to unscrew the plunger from the rod and do not wish to force it. It is apparent that the rubber components have perished. I have watched an informative video about the restoration of the same model and am aware that replacement parts are available.

As can be seen in the photos, there is a crack in the cap. The pattern on the barrel is very subtle, presumably having been worn smooth over the years.

 

Any knowledge or advice will be most welcome.

Thanks.

 

 

[Uncle Red]

The pen is made from black rubber, it has oxidizedto uniform brown color. The cap isblack on the inside, right?

 

I'd contact agood repair man like Ron Zorn of Main Street Pens.

[Bo Bo Olson]

The nib & feed is real old fashioned....I see in the Sears replica 1902 catalog, Paul Wert...who made the best pen in America at the time, had a similar top and bottom feed.

Parker's Lucky S is a bit later.

[Uncle Red]

De La Rue started making these pretty early (the filler was patented in 1905) and kept the over/under feed for a while. Theypulled one just like this out of the Titanic.

[82Greg]

Usually, pens pulled out of Granddad's draw need a cleaning. Onoto plungers usually will also need the corks replaced. If you don't know consult a professional. Grandmia on this forum repairs Onoto and there are kits available for the corks.

 

As far as value, because of the oxidation, you've lost a bit there. However, as long as it works there is still some value. (I actually like the oxidized color, almost looks like a wood grain.)

[Uncle Red]

Oops, you're in GB. I should have noticed.

[Inkysloth]

Eric Wilson - Eckiefump on here has restored an Onoto plunger fill for me, good work & reasonable price. He's based in Edinburgh.

[liapuyat]

Perhaps you mean Eckiethump http://eckiethump.webs.com/

[Inkysloth]

Perhaps you mean Eckiethump http://eckiethump.webs.com/

Thankyou! Yes, that's the very man.

[richardandtracy]

The Pen is an Onoto 'N' series, which turned into the 3000 later. The under/over feed puts it (IIRC) between 1909 and 1916. Between 1905 and 1909 Onoto used an under feed, then between 1909 and 1916 they had an under & over feed, then returned to an underfeed after 1916 having slightly improved the feed design so that an under feed could cope.

 

There are likely to be two main things wrong:

1. The plunger seal will have ossified and
2. The corks at the top of the barrel will have died.

Eric does a fantastic job restoring these pens. Do not try to unscrew the parts of the plunger yourself until you have removed the hard rubber locking pins Onoto used, and remember the threads are left hand threads.

 

In cross section while fitted together the shorter 'O' series with under feed only looks as below (modelled from a re-drawing of the Onoto 1924 assembly drawings - the plunger rod at the extreme right was probably trimmed off flush on assembly to ensure the pen fitted perfectly):

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[SchrodingersCat]

Thank you everyone. Much appreciated.

 

Uncle Red - How very odd that you mention the Titanic...my surname is Ismay!!! I'm quite blown away! My father always said we were related to Bruce, although I need to do some proper research. I'm considering looking in to it before too long now. Just a strange coincidence :-)

[Moshe ben David]

The nib & feed is real old fashioned....I see in the Sears replica 1902 catalog, Paul Wert...who made the best pen in America at the time, had a similar top and bottom feed.

Parker's Lucky S is a bit later.

 

You have a Sears 1902 catalog ( yes I see you identified it as a replica). A whole new vista of collecting opens up.....!