Mabie Todd "service Pen"?

[Estragon]

I recently discovered the pen in question (bottom), which is identical to my MT Jackdaw (top) but for the English Warranted nib and the imprint, which simply reads "The 'Service Pen'" (and "Made in England" imprinted transversally above the lever). Does anyone know anything about these? Was a "Service Pen" loaned out to customers when their pens were being repaired (cf. Sheaffer's Loaner pens)? Or does it refer perhaps to military service?

 

 

 

 

[peterg]

Might have been an 'own brand' sold by The Army & Navy Store

[Greenie]

I had this same Jackdaw with an overprint likely from a South African Stationers store. So perhaps it was a model sold to other stores to resell under their own names or brands.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296786-jackdaw-with-partial-second-imprint/

[Estragon]

Thanks very much for the helpful insights. As someone too often misled by established conventions and cues for identifying American pens, I always appreciate more localized knowledge to set me on the right track.

 

A commonality that does seem to bridge the divide between British and American companies is the use of more florid celluloids on lower priced models, subrands, and rebrands such as the "Service Pen" here, which recalls me to Sheaffer's striking WASP range of pens. I often wonder whether the intent with these was to experiment with the reception of certain plastics slated for premier models, or if instead it was to appeal to a particular segment of the market (e.g. students).

Edited January 28, 2019 by Estragon