Swan VIP

[hari317]

This is another Mabie Todd and Co, SWAN that I found in the wild in one of the secluded pen shops of Mumbai. This pen also was made by Mahatre pens and plastics a company that manufactured pens under various brands. This company closed shop sometime in the mid to late 1970s.

 

As stated in the title, the pen's exterior resembles the Pilot W and initially I mistook it for a Pilot. However when I uncapped it I found to to my great surprise a copy of the Parker 45 nib arrangement. In a marked departure from the Indian made swans, this pen is a squeeze filler instead of being ED filled.

 

The pen capped:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2382.jpg

 

Uncapped:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2384.jpg

 

Nib Closeup: the nib unit is longer than the 45, I don't know if it screws out, I think not.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2387.jpg

 

Cap Engraving:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2388.jpg

 

Clip Logo:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2390.jpg

 

Barrel Imprint: SWAN VIP, Mabie Todd and Co, Made in India.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2391.jpg

 

Pen disassembled: The squeeze filler unit with a nice PVC (pli glass like, not silicone) sac. The hood has marks left by the cap clutch fingers holding it for the last few decades.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Swan%20VIP/IMG_2393.jpg

 

I have not yet taken the pen into my daily rotation, however I have dip tested it; the nib is extra fine and has a bit of springiness probably due to the tine length.

 

I feel this pen may have been of the time when the company was on the decline, the barrel imprint quality, the plastic quality all seem inferior as compared to the excellent examples that I have encountered in the past.

 

Maybe this was a last ditch effort model to revive the company fortunes with features of popular pens of that time like the Pilots and the Parker 45.

 

I wonder if Swan had an international VIP model? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading about a pen made long time back in India.

 

Cheers,

Hari

 

 

 

 

[Abhik]

Another amesing finding from old treasures! Nice photos as usual!!

Is the nib assembly removable & replacable like P45?

Thanks for sharing Hari!

Abhik.

[Brian]

Cool review. Never knew Mabie Todd did this sort of pen.

[andy1m]

Very good pictures and the pen is GREAT!! Thanks for sharing.