Vintage Pens

We don't think we can call this a pure-bred Parker Challenger. It seems to us that some long-ago repair person fitted it with a new cap band and section. We don't think that Parker Challengers ever came with an ink-view window. And although this section fits well in the barrel, the grip seems a size to small for the barrel. Regardless, we restored it with a new ink sac. ANNNND, it is a great writing pen with a delightfully smooth medium-point 14k gold nib! Our vintage pen shows the wear of past hard work, but there are no cracks. Ready for more hard work, this pen can make for a great daily driver. 13cm capped.

Probably the most successful fountain pen model of all time is the Parker 51. Efficient, effective and easy to use these pens are elegant workhorses. Our vintage pen is in excellent working order with its original "pli-glass" ink sac. The pen shows moderate wear from regular use, but there are no cracks or scarring deep scratches. You will write a very nice, smooth fine line with its 14k gold nib. An ideal pen for someone who is vintage-pen curious or an experience pen lover who wants a pen that just won't quit. 13.8cm capped.

Some pen historians blame the Eversharp CA line of pens for effectively bankrupting the company. Spending millions on the rights to the Biro ballpoint refill patent, the company rushed their ballpoints into production without perfecting their manufacture and use. It also slapped a lifetime warranty on the pens, and nearly all the pens failed, resulting in crippling refunds. This is the Eversharp CA from the Fifth Avenue line, the second model to include a ballpoint design. Click the headline for close-ups. This pen is burgundy with golden trim. It shows light wear but no cracks or dents. The pocket clip jiggles. Notice the coiled refill? It was the company's effort to include even more ink in each pen. We don't think there is a replacement refill that will work in this pen. 13.4cm capped.

Semi-flex nibs usually go for a premium these days, but you can get a nice one here if you don't mind a small pen. Our chased black hard rubber Conklin 25P actually looks close to mint condition. Crisp imprints and chasing. No cracks. A piece of the crescent lock is missing, but the lock still works. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice line from fine to about 1mm wide with its 14k gold semi-flex nib. There's a little feedback, but it won't prevent you from making the most of the writing experience. 11.1cm capped.

This pen doesn't work. Just want to put that out there before we tell you how wonderful it is. Aside from the fact this Sheaffer Imperial doesn't work, it is still a lovely gold-filled vintage pen. The problem is that it only takes the skinny Sheaffer cartridges that are no longer being made. It comes with a broken converter, and Sheaffer no longer has these sized converters. Otherwise the pen is nice. There's a little wear on the metal and plastic of the cap, section and barrel. No dents. The name "Miguel Castillo B" is engraved on the barrel. The thing is that you will write a buttery smooth broad line with its 14k gold nib. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.1cm capped.

Abalone shells from California's kelp forests of the 1930s dapple this black cap and barrel of this classic Sheaffer Balance. We believe Sheaffer called the design Ebony and Pearl, but it was really abalone. Our slender, full-length vintage pen looks pretty good for 80-odd years. You'll see some scratches, wear and brassing, but there are no cracks. We restored this pen with a new ink sac. The ink-viewing window is ambered, but you can still see through it. You will write a nice fine line that some might think leans toward medium with its 14k gold nib. You might feel a little feedback on ascenders and descenders. 13.7cm capped.

Could this be the first model of ballpoint pen to go by the moniker of Parker Duofold? We think it might be. This is a British production from the 1950, after Parker in the United States discontinued the Duofold name. Instead of a clicker such as the famous Parker Jotter of the same era, this pen's whole cap acts as a clicker. Our vintage pen remains in good working order and comes with a working black Parker ballpoint refill. The photo looks great, but there is a fair amount of surface wear on the pen. No cracks or anything exceptionally ugly. 13cm.

Vintage Montblanc fans ought to start salivating over this fully restored beauty. It is the Montblanc 206 in the coral color. We replaced the ink sac and have it ready to rock your world. It is about the size of a modern Montblanc 146. You might find a little brassing, but there are no dents, cracks or deep scratches. Just light wear from past use. Great barrel imprint. We think this is of Danish production but we aren't certain. You will write an extra-fine line with some feedback. Technically, if you go really slowly and gently, you can get some flex out of it. However, we think it is too firm to be considered even a semi-flex. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.7cm capped.