A Noname Silver Overlay

[DanDeM]

This arrived yesterday. Nice pen, but not what I thought it would be. In the photos I saw,
the two rivet hump clip suggested Wahl, from the All Metal Pen era. I dismissed the 18k
Warranted nib as a replacement, but now I'm not so sure.



The only markings are in the bowl of the clip. They read 980, and below that what appears
to be a hallmark, possibly MTF. The overlay alternates panels of fruit and leaves separated

by a solid line and snakeskin panels. The black section, underlay and end cap is celluloid.

The cap does not have a vent.



It's fitted with a two piece pressure bar and the maker took the effort to gold plate the button.

The feed is not flat, but smooth; arched with only one notch on either side.

The longer and harder I look at it, the more disposed I am to believe the 18k nib as original

with the pen from the late 1920's Europe.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Edited August 2, 2014 by Blotto

[pen2paper]

no opinion, but Very pretty, and fruit motif!

 

Has a Yard O Led appearance? or Yard O Led has This appearance?

 

edit to pose.. gold plate button, bespoke jeweler? Mordan?

Edited August 2, 2014 by pen2paper

[Freddy]

The overlay appears to have been made in Mexico in mid 1930's

to 1940's <980>..perhaps by Rafael Melendez...

Mexican Silver Marks...

http://www.925-1000.com/mexican_menu.html

 

and Rafael Melendez...

http://www.925-1000.com/mx_rMelendez_X.html

 

Fred

[DanDeM]

Thank you both for your thoughts..

None other than Letizia Jacopini took a look at it and, based on the

hallmark and materials she thinks it's German or possibly from a German

maker in Argentina.

Her knowledge of European overlays is legion. That settles the question

for me.

Edited August 8, 2014 by Blotto

[betweenthelens]

It's lovely and wow at the 980 silver content!

[DanDeM]

It's lovely and wow at the 980 silver content!

 

 

Glad you like it but must mention, the silver content mark is on the clip.

No marks on the overlay which is likely coin silver 925

[betweenthelens]

Glad you like it but must mention, the silver content mark is on the clip.

No marks on the overlay which is likely coin silver 925

Do you think perhaps the mark on the clip might apply to the entire pen? Edited August 9, 2014 by betweenthelens

[pen2paper]

Thank you both for your thoughts..

 

None other than Letizia Jacopini took a look at it and, based on the

hallmark and materials she thinks it's German or possibly from a German

maker in Argentina.

 

Her knowledge of European overlays is legion. That settles the question

for me.

pure enjoyment of a nice pen.. thanks for sharing.. glad you had a response

fun outcome for me, was that Feddy's post with links very likely identified a non pen object in my collection as Rafael Melendez silver work, realistic grapes.. so the fruit connection worked for me.. now I have to find it and check the backmark as RM per those references. Thanks Freddy!

[balson]

based on the styling i would have guessed french. i suspect there will be an increased interest mexican overlays now

 

awesome find!