Vintage Pens: Diamond Medal Diplomat

Description

Open today’s treasure trove to find this excellent Diamond Medal Diplomat. Produced by the National Pen Company of Chicago, this handsome, oversized devil has a mottled black-and-orange design. It does not appear to be hard rubber. It is an early celluloid or some other plastic. The National Pen Company was a rival to the likes of Parker and Sheaffer in the 1920s, but it did not survive the Great Depression. It was a strong 2nd tier brand. No cracks, some minor scratches and marks. Minimal brassing. The name “L.A. Beyerlein” is clearly engraved on the cap. We restored this Diamond Medal Diplomat with a new ink sac. HOWEVER, we DO NOT have a C-ring to hold the lever in place. The internal end of the lever fits in some runners and can be pushed against the pressure bar to squeeze the ink sac flat. You just need to hold on to the lever to make sure to reset it in the proper position once you are done filling. Its #8 14k gold nib writes a dry extra-fine line. With a little slow, gentle effort you can add a touch of pressure for line thickening, but we really wouldn’t call this a semi-flexible nib. 14cm capped.