Conway Stewart - 1950's 58 Vs 60. Differences?

[Huxley]

Can't find much information on Conway Stewarts from the 50's. Lots of measurements but nothing much about the actual pens! Anyway, curious as to the differences - beyond the cap bands, model number, and word "Executive" on the 60, between the two? I infer that the Executive models had the single wide cap band to allow for engraving?

 

Cheers,

 

Mike

[oregano]

I'm not an expert by any means but I noticed one difference: the nib on the 60 seems slightly longer, stiffer, and bigger than the 58 'Duro' nib, which makes a difference in feel, for me at least (I have small hands). It feels a bit like writing with a paintbrush. I can't remember if the barrel of one feels slightly larger than the other.

 

According to Stephen Hull's book (p.147), the 60 was the top-of-the range model, introduced after the 58 in early 1950 and advertised as being "with a fine point" (manifold pen), but it came with other types of nibs, and the export model has two thick gold bands. Since you have the measurements, I'm not sure what other differences you are wondering about, but maybe someone else can shed some light...

Edited January 23, 2015 by paloma32

[johnmc2]

They are very similar pens with the gold bands being the main, if not the only, difference. The 58 can be found with a non-Duro 58 nib but to me this seems little different.

If you like these larger post-war pens also consider the 60L and 77 which are longer than the 58/60 and still have Duro nibs.

 

L->R 58, 60 Executive, 60L, 77

[Huxley]

_{Thank you both for your replies. I have a 58 and wondered if I *need* to add a 60 to it. Doesn't appear that I do! From the photos I have seen online, I prefer the looks of the 58 with the triple cap bands to that of the 60 and think that I'll focus my efforts on picking up the 58 in other patterns. I'd love to add a silver or green hatched version to the cracked ice that I have. Wish I had gotten into Conway Stewart when I lived in the UK... they're very rare in NA.}

 

_Cheers,

 

_Mike

[johnmc2]

Another model which I really like is the 55. It is similar to the 58 but earlier, and has a hard rubber cap screw instead of the later more complicated metal clip screws. Here are two 55s (one in black hard rubber and the other in blue marbled celluloid) next to a 58.

[Huxley]

Ooh, yes! I like the looks of the 55 as well. Sigh... I think my fountain pen obsession has just found a new focus! This could get expensive...

Edited January 25, 2015 by Huxley

[RMN]

Love that blue marbled celluloid 55.....

 

 

 

D.ick

[jar]

There is also the #388 that is slightly smaller than the #58.

 

http://www.fototime.com/F67A61C72971884/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/727845C8749ADC2/large.jpg

[johnmc2]

Love that blue marbled celluloid 55.....

 

 

 

D.ick

Thanks, when I bought it it looked like this:

[Garageboy]

That nib hurts to look at

 

I love the 27 and 28 twins too (non Duro- 58 and 60 sized)- the thinner non Duro nibs are niiiiice

[Stu L]

Ouch! What happened to that nib?

It looks rotten away...... I knew sulphuric acid ink would never catch on

[Garageboy]

Someone tried to harvest it for gold?

[johnmc2]

Or someone's first attempt at a regrind. The new nib is much nicer!