Fountain Pens with Nib Size: M

In the second quarter of 1942, the United States was getting its tail kicked pretty hard around the Pacific and U-boats were making a mess of our shipping efforts in the Atlantic. Nevertheless, this Parker Duofold was made and has persevered ever since. We found it in a well-cared for collection in good working order, so we didn't replace the diaphragm. Its blue-and-grey stripes really stand out as an art deco beauty. The pocket clip and clip ring are pretty chewed up, but the celluloid is in very good shape. Nice aluminum speedline filler. You will write a smooth medium line with its 14k gold nib. Slightly smaller and more slender than some Duofolds. 12.3cm capped.

Black with platinum-plated trim...or is it rhodium plating...always looks sharp on a luxury pen. Our preowned luxury pen is a Pelikan Ductus. These handsome beauties were only made for a short while. For Pelikan aficionados it is an 800-size pen. Click the headline for a close-up of the unique design of its 18k gold nib. It is marked "B" for broad, but when we tested it, we thought it felt more like a buttery smooth medium with a little line variation. Also unique to this pen is that it is cartridge only. Unscrew the blind cap in the tail to reveal a cartridge carriage that hold two standard international size cartridges...no converters. The cap logo is a frosted, silvery mama pelican with one chick. 14.3cm capped.

Fill in your Montblanc Writer's Series with the year 2000's entry, the Montblanc Friedrich Schiller. More famous in Germany than the rest of the world, Schiller was a playwright who focused his themes around freedom. His best known play is "William Tell," the overture of which is more famous than the play. Pen collectors of a certain age know the overture as the theme song to "The Long Ranger." Our preowned luxury pen is number 7377 of 18000. Guaranteed authentic from a dedicated MB collector, this pen comes with its original booklet but no box. Only a couple of traces of minor wear. You will write a smooth medium line with its 18k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. This pen's filling system remains a smooth operating device. 13.4cm capped.

Following up the huge success of the Eversharp Skyline pen was the Eversharp Symphony. This first edition of the pen featured another great cap design by Rey Loewy. Although it is called the "slipper cap," we think it looks more space-agey. We restored this great green-and-gold-filled vintage pen with a new ink sac. It has a little wear from use, but it is still a pretty amazing pen. You will write a very smooth medium line with its 14k gold nib. 13.9cm capped.

Sheaffer Preludes remain a popular modern Sheaffer. This one shows a bit of wear, but it is still in good working order. It comes with its original box and papers. Also included is its original aerometric-style, squeeze-bar converter. The nice thing about it is that modern Sheaffer cartridges and converters still fit. You will write a nice fine line with a little feedback. It is a steel nib that is marked medium, but we tested it and feel it is more of a fine. The lining of the box has come unglued, as you can see the photo. 13.3cm capped.

Some pens fall into the grey area where naming them is concerned. Is this the Esterbrook CA Deluxe or Esterbrook Safari Deluxe? We aren't sure, but it is an attractive grey pen. It also is cartridge only...and they stopped making the cartridges for these nearly 70 years ago. Unfortunately, this one does not come with an old cartridge. It does come with an amazingly smooth medium nib made of steel. Once you find its sweet spot, you'll want to write all day with it. Click the headline for close-ups. The nib might be marked fine, but it is definitely a medium. There is only light wear to the cap and barrel, too. 12.7cm capped.

Fit enough for pharaoh, this limited edition Cross Townsend Lapis Lazuli uses the same lapis quarry as the ancient Egyptians! We love these gold-flecked beauties. Showing minimal wear to the cap and barrel, you will find this preowned luxury pen to be stunning. Click the headline for a close-up. You will write a wet, medium line with its two-tone 18k gold nib that was mistakenly marked "F" for fine. A Cross converter is included with the pen. Unfortunately, we no longer have the boxes or papers. 15cm capped.

The modern Waterman pen company began to find its groove again in the 1980s and '90s. Sales began to return from oblivion with pens such as this Waterman Laureat. Our attractive blue-marble preowned pen shows a little wear from use, but it is in pretty good cosmetic shape. Only the steel nib shows any obvious wear, as its gold plating is coming off in places. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice fine line with the nib, even though it is marked "M" for medium. The original standard international converter is included. 13cm capped.