Please help me ID this Wahl-Eversharp (possibly transitional?)

[PithyProlix]

I am just now learning about Wahl-Eversharp pens (other than the Doric, which I only knew a little about previously). I wasn't able to find anything online quite like this one. Sorry for the less-than-ideal selection of screen shots but they are the best I have for now. 

 

I will likely have the opportunity to purchase this pen very soon.

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul-in-SF]

I don't think it's transitional, It's a flat top from the 1930's, but I'm not sure of the exact model name. There seemed to be two basic sizes of these flat top pens. The larger size was about 134 mm long, and the top of that line was called a Deco Band, that had a large Greek Key design cap band flanked by two narrow bands. There were also lower levels of trim for that size, I believe, although I don't have any. The smaller size was about 124 mm long, and that size also had different trim levels. I have one of the smaller ones that looks just like yours, which I have labeled Gold Seal Flat Top. I also have another one of this size with trim similar to Deco Band style, that I have labeled Personal Point Flat Top. I'm not sure of the sources of those names, except I believe Personal Point referred to the early Wahl-Eversharp large selection of nib grinds. 

 

I can't tell from the photos the size of this pen, but if I had to, I would guess that it is the smaller size. These can be very good pens, but its age may have begun to tell, by shrinkage of the celluloid if no other way. This can affect the ability of the cap and barrel to mesh well when being screwed together, for example. It looks like there is some plating loss on some of the trim, which affects the value and should bring the price down. If there is a closeup of the nib, see if you can read the bottom line of engraving, which should be either Flexible, Signature (which is semi-flex) or the one that means no flex, which I forget what that's called. 

 

[Wahl]

Agree with Paul, the no flex is called Manifold.

[Paul-in-SF]

10 hours ago, Wahl said:

the no flex is called Manifold.

 

Thank you, that was driving me crazy. One of the dubious pleasures of "seniority" is forgetting words and names. I knew it started with "Ma" but I couldn't bring it up. 

[PithyProlix]

Thank you both for the information.

 

I'm getting the feeling this is not a highly collectible pen, even if it is uncommon. Plus I don't want to get into collecting another manufacturer - there are very few pre-war pens to be found here - but I will buy pens if they are priced right, even if they are ones I am not particularly interested in collecting. I haven't been able to get a price from her yet and she seems to think it is a Doric (and there are cultural sensitivities about correcting people here) so I'll see what happens. If it is a Flexible nib, I'd probably be interested in it as a writer, particularly because pens with truly flexible nibs are very hard to find here.

[PithyProlix]

Oh, and she had it next to some pens I actually do collect and know that they are 134mm long. It looked to be about 1 cm shorter than those so I think @Paul-in-SF is probably right on the money about the size.

[PithyProlix]

FYI - It has a stiff nib. I passed on it.

 

Thanks again for the help!

[Wahl]

Certainly not a Doric.

[Wahl]

On 12/21/2023 at 5:23 AM, Paul-in-SF said:

 

Thank you, that was driving me crazy. One of the dubious pleasures of "seniority" is forgetting words and names. I knew it started with "Ma" but I couldn't bring it up. 

 

Well, I had to look it up in one of my pens  😉

[Paul-in-SF]

I tried that, turns out I don't have any of those nibs. 

[thisteensy]

I have been looking at these earlier Eversharps with the rollerclips. I haven't found the right one, yet, but I just love that kind of little detail.

[Wahlnut]

The pen is nat that uncommon. Its a Soldier Clip Personal Point Gold Seal pen that was made between 1927 and 1930.  It is shorter than the Side Clip models but of the same diameter.  It takes a #20 sac, just like the nonger pens.  It came in 7 colors.  This one is Black and Pearl (other makers of that time frame called the pattern "Nacre", but Wahl never did.  The Soldier clip idea was to place the clip high on the pen and the overall pen able to fit completely into a button down shirt pocket as in military uniforms ergo "soldier or military clip".  The barrel is lined with an aluminum sleeve.  The aluminum sleeve can oxidize creating aluminum oxide which can expand between the sleeve and the placric making the threads bulge.

 

Top examples of this type pen traditionally sell for $300-350.  Of course ones with damage or other lesser conditions go for a lot less.