Mabie Todd Swan Self-Filling Pen

[Corvus77]

This weekend I came into possession of a Mabie Todd Swan Self-Filling Pen - at least that's what the imprint on the side says. It's a bit worn, but it is a little over 5-5/16" capped. The cap and barrel ends are tapered slightly, then flattened. Still, I was taken by the nib - the exposed nib is 1" long and has a "6" on it as well as the company name, "14 CT" and "MADE IN USA". I thought the "CT" and "MADE IN USA" a little curious, but maybe using "KT" wasn't as uniform in US made pens at that time. Can anyone tell me anything about this pen? I've attached a couple pictures. Thanks.

[Number3124]

Nice pen. Is it a wet-noodle nib?

[redisburning]

someone who is an expert on such matters will surely be along to let you know more about it.

 

but, my suspicion is that pen will be rather valuable. it's rather large, and I think the number 6 nib is one of the larger nibs offered on Mabie Todds.

[Scrawler]

How does a self filler work? This looks like it has a lever, like any other lever filler.

[Corvus77]

How does a self filler work? This looks like it has a lever, like any other lever filler.

 

A good question that I am guessing at the answer to, so I hope some more knowledgeable person will chime in. I described this as a "self filling" pen simply because that is what the imprint on the pen itself says. I suspect that it refers to the fact that you simply need to dip the pen in the ink, and pull the lever the appropriate number of times waiting patiently and the pen will fill itself - as opposed to having to pull the nib or some other part out of them to then fill the it via an eyedropper or some other means. This is a pretty old pen, but I'd guess "self filling" pens were around for around 30 years by the time this one was produced.

[Oldtimer]

i have seen that same "self filling" regarding these pens but no explanation. I don't think people know what they are really saying. iT may be that the pen says it?

[mallymal1]

As Corvus suspected (back in 2011), the 'self filling' pen, was a term for pens which used a mechanical method (e.g. lever and pressure bar) to draw ink into the barrel, rather than the eye-dropper method. I think it dates to the early 1900's, when Conklin introduced the crescent filler, and Sheaffer the lever filler.

 

I think the first Conway Stewart 'self filler' was a plunger filler dating to around 1905/6.

Edited July 30, 2014 by mallymal1

[GHigley]

I just acquired (via Greg Minuskin) a pen very much like this in a red/gold/black finish. I may try a rubbing to make out the patent details of the imprint, but visually it appears to be much the same pen, except that mine has a "4" nib, flatter barrel end and a single-ridged arrow clip. I came across this forum thread in the search for model/year of the pen. I'll try to remember to report back any useful information.

 

The pen writes marvelously with a EF to F "wet-noodle" of a nib. Of my limited collection, it's the best flex writer I own - do to the ministrations of Maestro Minuskin no doubt. : ) I bought a pretty little Moore from him at the same time and while it's (unsurprisingly) not in the same league as the Swan, it's another lovely little vintage flex pen. I see more of Greg's (incredibly low-priced) offerings entering my collection if I'm quick enough to snatch them up.

Edited February 9, 2016 by GHigley

[missuslovett]

Generally speaking the Mabie Todd 'Self Filler' is a lever pen and the No. 6 nib is the largest Swan produced, the smallest being the No. 1. The No. 6 nibs are fairly rare and that one looks a beauty. Does it flex? Odds are it will as Mabie Todd produced some stunners for line variation. I have tried to make sense of the Swan numbering system and failed but I'm sure someone will drop by and help you out...

[Cob]

Generally speaking the Mabie Todd 'Self Filler' is a lever pen and the No. 6 nib is the largest Swan produced, the smallest being the No. 1. The No. 6 nibs are fairly rare and that one looks a beauty. Does it flex? Odds are it will as Mabie Todd produced some stunners for line variation. I have tried to make sense of the Swan numbering system and failed but I'm sure someone will drop by and help you out...

Well there's no guaranatee of flexibility I'm afraid; many of the No 6 nibs were Eternals which are usually (in my experience, always) nails.

 

And the No 6 was not the biggest: there was also a No 8 - enormous and fitted to Eternal Pens; whether there was a flexible 8 or not, I have no idea - I have never seen one! I do wonder if Mabie Todd ever made a 7! There was certainly a 5 which I quite fancy but I am always outbid when I see one.

 

C.

Edited February 10, 2016 by Cob

[Lelouch]

Well there's no guaranatee of flexibility I'm afraid; many of the No 6 nibs were Eternals which are usually (in my experience, always) nails.

 

And the No 6 was not the biggest: there was also a No 8 - enormous and fitted to Eternal Pens; whether there was a flexible 8 or not, I have no idea - I have never seen one! I do wonder if Mabie Todd ever made a 7! There was certainly a 5 which I quite fancy but I am always outbid when I see one.

 

C.

I believe that I may have seen a 7 or 8 nib for a dip pen by Mabie Todd a while ago on eBay. It was shaped like a heart, the dip pen post in this forum has a little more information about such nibs. I believe the pictures of old advertisements called it a spade nib.

[Goudy]

The spade dip nibs only went up to 7, I think.

 

There's an Eternal 8 up for auction at the moment: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-MABIE-TODD-SWAN-48-ETN-ETERNAL-FOUNTAIN-PEN-WITH-LARGE-8-PEN-POINT-/331767320640?hash=item4d3edf9040:g:5c0AAOSwX~dWrnbg

 

The tipping material looks a bit odd for a Mabie Todd. I wonder if the nib has had some repair work done to it.

[Cob]

The spade dip nibs only went up to 7, I think.

 

There's an Eternal 8 up for auction at the moment: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-MABIE-TODD-SWAN-48-ETN-ETERNAL-FOUNTAIN-PEN-WITH-LARGE-8-PEN-POINT-/331767320640?hash=item4d3edf9040:g:5c0AAOSwX~dWrnbg

 

The tipping material looks a bit odd for a Mabie Todd. I wonder if the nib has had some repair work done to it.

Well as I say I have never seen one of these enormous nibs in the flesh so to speak, but I agree about the tip.

 

I should also add that the feed looks suspiciously German to me! Never seen anything like it on a Mabie Todd - and someone really ought to warm it up and get those fins straight too!

 

C.

Edited February 10, 2016 by Cob

[peterg]

Just missed out on it, so I'll never know

[missuslovett]

^^^^ Ha! Shows what I know!

[Lelouch]

Well as I say I have never seen one of these enormous nibs in the flesh so to speak, but I agree about the tip.

 

I should also add that the feed looks suspiciously German to me! Never seen anything like it on a Mabie Todd - and someone really ought to warm it up and get those fins straight too!

 

C.

There was also a red mottled version (with a nib which appeared to be in better condition and the typical fine line of the eternal nibs), but I was outbid my more than double at the last moment :'(

 

And as for the feed, I believe it is correct as my eternal 46 has a similar feed to that 48 and I have seen similar ladder feeds on other swans.

[Cob]

There was also a red mottled version (with a nib which appeared to be in better condition and the typical fine line of the eternal nibs), but I was outbid my more than double at the last moment :'(

 

And as for the feed, I believe it is correct as my eternal 46 has a similar feed to that 48 and I have seen similar ladder feeds on other swans.

Is yours an American pen? I have an English ETN44 - the only Eternal pen I have owned and its feed is quite different and more typical of a Swan feed.

 

C.

[Lelouch]

Is yours an American pen? I have an English ETN44 - the only Eternal pen I have owned and its feed is quite different and more typical of a Swan feed.

 

C.

Unfortunately the imprint on the barrel is mostly worn away, I can barely make out "Swan Self Filling Pen" and only when the light hits it just right. The end of the barrel does have the 46/E.T.N imprint quite clearly though. I will upload pictures in a moment.

[Lelouch]

The imprint may be hard to see on the nib (iPhone camera), but it says New York. Though I know that doesn't necessarily mean the pen was made in America.

[Lelouch]

I also just remembered that I've seen different clip placements on the eternal pens, I'm not sure if that is an indicator of country of origin or not, but here's a picture regardless. Yes, the clip has lost a lot of plating, and the bands are not perfect either. But I love this pen in the hand and I try to make sure it makes it into my rotation, but not too frequently as I don't want to risk damage too often.