Onoto pen to identify.

April 25, 2022

I have been given an Onoto piston filler which I have managed to coax back into life. mostly blocked with a crust of dried ink. Water soluble fortunately.

I was wondering if anyone can help me identify and possibly date it as I would love to know more about it.

I have added pictures of all the identifying marks I can see.

April 25, 2022

As far as the Stephen Hull's Onoto book, the 5601 Onoto Magna is from 1938 with the 3/ST nib and only one gold band in the cap.

No doubt someone else will correct if I happen to be wrong, but I hope this help...

April 29, 2022

Hi folks,

Yes, it's a 5601, but this isn't a Magna. They are good wee pens, though very slim for its length by modern sensibilities. Are you sure it's working properly? These plunger fillers can be less durable than might be hoped, and I've never found a working on in the wild myself!

Have fun with it-- lovely nib, eh?

Ralf

May 1, 2022

On 4/25/2022 at 11:07 PM, Azuniga said:

As far as the Stephen Hull's Onoto book, the 5601 Onoto Magna is from 1938 with the 3/ST nib and only one gold band in the cap.

No doubt someone else will correct if I happen to be wrong, but I hope this help...

That is helpful and the timing sounds about right. Thank you.

May 1, 2022

On 4/30/2022 at 12:13 AM, ralfstc said:

Hi folks,

Yes, it's a 5601, but this isn't a Magna. They are good wee pens, though very slim for its length by modern sensibilities. Are you sure it's working properly? These plunger fillers can be less durable than might be hoped, and I've never found a working on in the wild myself!

Have fun with it-- lovely nib, eh?

Ralf

It seems to be. I must admit it surprised me, I thought it would need much more work but it fills and holds ink. It doesn’t seem to leak. It writes when the plunger cap is loosened and stops writing some time after the plunger cap is shut. As far as my understanding goes I believe that is correct.

I think I have just been very lucky.

The nib is lovely to write with, I agree.