Vintage Pilot pens - please help identifying

[mke]

In the overview picture, you can see from left to right:

 

The first is the model Custom from 1972: K-500RS

The second one is the model Custom Grandee from 1979.

Here is my first question: do you know the difference between KG-700RS and KG-1000RS?

 

The third one is a full-size Elite from 1982, do you have any model number for that?

 

The fourth pen is fully unknown to me, it is from 1981. Do you know this model?

 

In the second picture, I show nibs and caps from pen 3 and 4, hope it helps.

 

Thank you.

 

[PithyProlix]

1 hour ago, mke said:

Here is my first question: do you know the difference between KG-700RS and KG-1000RS?

 

I am not sure but this Pilot site seems to suggest they might be the same pen. https://www.pilot-custom.jp/en/history/ Perhaps there was a price change?

 

1 hour ago, mke said:

The third one is a full-size Elite from 1982, do you have any model number for that?

 

No but I've seen one with a ¥5000 price sticker, so that might help narrow it down.

 

1 hour ago, mke said:

The fourth pen is fully unknown to me, it is from 1981. Do you know this model?

 

Celemo (セレモ).

[mke]

1 hour ago, PithyProlix said:

Celemo (セレモ).

Thank you: one question is answered.

[liubrian]

2 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

 

I am not sure but this Pilot site seems to suggest they might be the same pen. https://www.pilot-custom.jp/en/history/ Perhaps there was a price change?

 

 

As always, I have checked the 100th anniversary gallery for hints: https://www.pilot.co.jp/100th/en/gallery/

 

Seems like the Custom Grandee was being sold for 7000 JPY in 1979 but 10,000 JPY in 1980, which might be of interest.  I couldn't find anything to directly answer any of OP's questions though.

[mke]

8 hours ago, liubrian said:

Custom Grandee was being sold for 7000 JPY in 1979 but 10,000 JPY in 1980

Thank you for the information. 

 

I am especially astonished that I didn't find any information about the full-size Elite. You always see only "fullsize Elite*", "fullsize version of the predecessor of the Elite95s". If anyone knows a site which has more info, please comment. *the one with the flat top.

I found on FPN that there is a review about this pen with a steel nib: 

 

Unfortunately, the author didn't show good photos to see the nib clearly but the writing looks like a "super quality" nib which I have in other pens too. Possible that someone swapped the nib?

 

Also about the Celemo, I would be happy to get more information.

 

It seems that Pilot changed other pens too from 1979 to 1980. I have two Pilot Lady in red leather. Until 1979, the nib was a 18k, but a 14k from 1980 (see https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCA-ZjjaA4/ for pictures).

Regarding my original questions, I have also requested information directly from Pilot. In Japan are national holidays this week, the so-called Golden Week, so I don't expect any answer before next week. I will keep you updated.

 

 

[mke]

I found a few infos, I need to go through and write it together.

 

https://www.pilot-custom.jp/en/history/

 

But it also looks like they didn't want to show all of their Customs pens in that overview.

Example Grandee: there are many more Grandees then just the Tomo (FKG-1000R-B). On a glimpse, I also saw the Grandee L (FLGR-1000R), the Grandee Urushi (FGR-1500-R), the Grandee Silver (FGR-2000S) and the Grandee Gold (FGR-3000G).

 

Elite: the product code is FE-500R-B

 

Celemo: FCM-500R, but there is also a FCD-500R

 

1000 means, the selling price was 10000 Yen - in the 1980s.

500 means 5000 Yen. 

 

[PithyProlix]

3 hours ago, mke said:

Elite: the product code is FE-500R-B

 

Celemo: FCM-500R, but there is also a FCD-500R

 

Where did you find these product codes please? 

[awa54]

4 hours ago, mke said:

Thank you for the information. 

 

I am especially astonished that I didn't find any information about the full-size Elite. You always see only "fullsize Elite*", "fullsize version of the predecessor of the Elite95s". If anyone knows a site which has more info, please comment. *the one with the flat top.

I found on FPN that there is a review about this pen with a steel nib: 

 

Unfortunately, the author didn't show good photos to see the nib clearly but the writing looks like a "super quality" nib which I have in other pens too. Possible that someone swapped the nib?

 

Also about the Celemo, I would be happy to get more information.

 

It seems that Pilot changed other pens too from 1979 to 1980. I have two Pilot Lady in red leather. Until 1979, the nib was a 18k, but a 14k from 1980 (see https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCA-ZjjaA4/ for pictures).

Regarding my original questions, I have also requested information directly from Pilot. In Japan are national holidays this week, the so-called Golden Week, so I don't expect any answer before next week. I will keep you updated.

 

 

 

 

I'd wager that's a cap-swap or a Korean market pen, as I've never seen a Japanese market Elite with a steel nib, but have seen Korean made "Elites" with steel nibs... also the lack of a visible metal section coupler is at odds with all Elite series pens I've seen.

[mke]

40 minutes ago, PithyProlix said:

Where did you find these product codes please? 

I asked a Japanese who is the pen business.

[PithyProlix]

2 hours ago, awa54 said:

 

 

I'd wager that's a cap-swap or a Korean market pen, as I've never seen a Japanese market Elite with a steel nib, but have seen Korean made "Elites" with steel nibs... also the lack of a visible metal section coupler is at odds with all Elite series pens I've seen.

 

There's also no gold ring at the barrel end on the one in the linked review. And no 'bump' on the section by the nib.

[awa54]

BTW, @mke's full sized "dart" nib Elite is identical to one that I own ...sorry no model data

[mke]

On 5/2/2022 at 8:59 PM, mke said:

Here is my first question: do you know the difference between KG-700RS and KG-1000RS?

Pilot says: it is the same model, just the price was 7000 Yen in 1979 and it was increased to 10000 Yen in 1980.

 

On 5/2/2022 at 8:59 PM, mke said:

The third one is a full-size Elite from 1982, do you have any model number for that?

Pilot says: fountain pens with the Elite name have either 18k gold or 14k gold nibs. There are no steel nibs. The part number of the Elite shown in the image was "EN-500BS-B" when it debuted in 1980, and the part number was changed to "FE-500R-B" in 1981.

 

On 5/2/2022 at 8:59 PM, mke said:

The fourth pen is fully unknown to me, it is from 1981. Do you know this model?

Meanwhile we know that the name is Celemo. Pilot says: Celemo's part number is FCM-500R-B (since 1981).

 

I always appreciate that Pilot's customer support is so helpful.

[liubrian]

Those are some very helpful answers! What email address are you using to contact Pilot customer support?

[mke]

2 hours ago, liubrian said:

Pilot customer support?

At the bottom of this page: https://www.pilot.co.jp/contact/support.html   (お問い合わせ)

[liubrian]

On 5/8/2022 at 6:50 PM, mke said:

At the bottom of this page: https://www.pilot.co.jp/contact/support.html   (お問い合わせ)

 

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.