The Early Onotos

[Guernseytim]

I've developed an interest in Onotos, old and new.

 

One thing I've noticed is that there's a lot of customisation on pens from the early 1900's.

 

Gold bands, engravings, lots of probably after-market additions to make each one a little unique.

 

I noticed this one from a dealer I deem very reputable - a short version!

 

Is this a custom or did they make short ones?

 

If I had the money I'd be snapping it up

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251527009011

[richardandtracy]

There are two main versions of the early Onoto pens.

 

The one that seems to be the more common was the 'N', which was the longer pen and later became known as the '3000'.

Then there was the short version, the 'O', which later became the '2000' (the one in that sale).

I have tracings of the original assembly drawings supplied to me by Peter Crook of the two pens dating back to 1923 & 1924, and the only differences between the two are to cope with the 'O' barrel being 1 15/16" long and the 'N' barrel being 2 3/16" long. On those vintage drawings, the two pens are called by both number and letter, so presumably Onoto started calling them by their number sometime before 1923.

 

I think I remember seeing that the original feed was an underfeed only (1905), then the feed became an under/over feed in 1909/1910, and had reverted back to an underfeed only sometime before 1918. Now, I cannot remember where I saw these dates, so please don't take them as Gospel, just as an indicator. So that would make the pen in the sale an 'O' from between 1910 & 1917(?).

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[Estott]

Here is an instruction sheet for the early Onoto Ink Pencil- their stylographic pen.