Moore 94-A, 1941-1946

[ToasterPastry]

Moore 94-A, 1941-1946.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1830.jpg

 

Material: Striated celluloid

 

Color:

Gray-brown (bronze) striated. The pen also sold in other colors, including black, and striated versions—green, brown (bronze), and gray.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1836-1.jpg

 

Model:

Apparently, marketing was never a strong point for the Moore company. Pens during this era were modeled 92-A, 94-A, and 96-A. The 92 was a smaller-sized pen, 94 was standard, and the 96 was an oversized. Models previously were designated with the letter “L.”

 

Date of production:

1941-1946

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1835.jpg

 

Fill mechanism:

Lever fill with rubber sac.

 

Dimensions:

Length: 12.8 cm (5”) closed; Cap 5.7 cm (2-1/4”); posted 16 cm (6-6/16”). Width 13 mm (1/2”).

 

Nib:

Moore Life Maniflex 14 kt. gold nib. The nib appears to be offered only in one size, fine point.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1834.jpg

 

Price:

My pen was originally purchased for approximately $15, with $50 spent for restoration. The clip had sprung, there was significant brassing on the metal parts, and the nib tines were slightly mal-aligned. Approximate price for these pens, depending upon condition, range around $50 to $100, with $200 for an oversized pen (96-A).

 

Cap:

Screw-on cap with gold-filled (plated) bullet-nose and four small gold-filled (plated) bands.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1831.jpg

 

History:

After receiving US Patents for a non-leaking fountain pen in 1893 and 1896, Morris W. Moore began producing pens in the Downtown Commons of Boston, Massachusetts under The American Fountain Pen Company, later changing the company name in 1917 to The Moore Pen Company. According to their product literature, their “Safety Pens” could be carried in any position without leaking or staining the fingers. Their early nibs were quite flexible, similar in characteristic to the Waterman 52. However, with the increased use of carbon paper in business, Moore developed a combination flexible and manifold nib, it termed the Maniflex, produced in 1929. The early Maniflex nibs were semi-flexible, while the later nibs more rigid, as this entry in 1941. When compared to Sheaffer and Parker, Moore was more of a follower than a leader in technical innovation. Although the Maniflex nibs were reasonably popular, they received no where near the acclaim of the hooded Parker 51, also released in 1941; and the Sheaffer Triumph nib, released in 1942, with its wrap-around design. In 1946, Moore countered with the Fingertip nib; a pen that was striking, and also rather morbid, in its design. This pen received poor public reception and sales. Moore ceased business operation in 1956.

 

Writing Performance:

The ink capacity is relatively small compared to the size of the pen barrel, expect about 2-3 days use with a single fill. The pen cap does not post well on the barrel. Either it is too loose, or with firm pressure, potentially mars the plastic. This feature has been reported by others, and is not unique to my pen.

 

The characteristic of the nib on paper is based not only on the design and material of the nib, but also the paper, the ink, the restoration of the nib, and just blind luck. While the early Maniflex nibs had a fair degree of flex, the 1941 Life Maniflex has a rigid tip. Not nearly as rigid as the Parker 51 hooded or Sheaffer Triumph nibs though. The feedback on the nib is unlike anything I have previously encountered. The lightest pressure on the pen provides a small but smooth distribution of ink that flows well, much like a technical drafting pen. I have used this pen with two different inks, and a multitude of qualities of paper, including carbon and ionized xerography paper. I have not been disappointed. The ink flow is never dry, but never blobs or feathers. I tend to rotate the pen medially when I write, but the nib accommodates me well. This pen would no doubt be ideal for left handed writers.

 

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1839.jpg

 

Conclusion:

While posting of the pen is a bit clumsy, the nib design allows a beautiful and even flow of ink onto a multitude of quality of papers that I have not seen with any other pen. There is very little flex in the Life Maniflex nib, and it does not have nearly the performance on carbon paper as a ballpoint pen (no fountain pen does). Nevertheless, the beautifully striated finish of this pen, along with the excellent writing performance makes this a daily writer worth seeking out.

 

Sources: Ross McKinney was a big help in putting this together. You can learn more about Moore pens from his site. Also check out Jim Mamoulides' article on Moore's Fingertip pen (released 1946).

[QM2]

Interesting! Nice review, and the historical bits are a welcome read.

 

I have a love-hate relationship with striated pens -- they are captivating to look at, but they also give me a headache. How do they make those little pearlescent stripes? How I ask you?

 

In any case, thank you for the review : )

 

 

[Breck]

Great review! The writing sample is a big bonus, as are the history and links.

 

That's an awfully good-looking pen you got there.

 

 

[Univer]

Nice review - thanks.

 

I recently restored one of these - a green stripe - and I was really impressed with the quality of materials and construction. The celluloid took a beautiful shine, and the trim - which was horribly tarnished - polished up perfectly. (In fact, I found myself idly wondering whether the trim might be gold-fill over sterling silver; the tarnish had that dark gray look that I associate with pens like the 1940s Sheaffer Triumph, and the Moore's trim cleaned up as readily and as brilliantly as the trim on those Sheaffers.)

 

The only problem I encountered was a rusted j-bar; but the underlying metal was sound, and once cleaned it went right back into service.

 

I make no pretense of being an expert in such things, and I wouldn't dream of trying to generalize about other Moore models; but I would have to say, on balance, that this one seemed to be the equal, for all practical purposes, of a "first-tier" product.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

[philm]

Thank you for the review and the very interesting history. Enjoy your pen.

 

Phil

[ToasterPastry]

Thank you for the nice compliments.

 

I was hesitant about releasing the review since I have developed a love-hate relationship with the pen. Like with any possession, I want the experience all to myself. As I said before, I write on a wide variety of paper types and qualities. I don't even own Moleskine. I have also written with a wide variety of pens: Sheaffer, Parker, Caran D'Ache, Conway-Stewart, etc. It has been my experience that some paper will confound just about any pen, e.g., carbon paper will have terrific feathering to the point that it will make it a great ink-blob. I have not had that experience with the Moore pen. It writes on just about any surface, and still delivers a smoothly fine line. It's never dry, never too wet. It's always perfect, and with just the lightest pressure on the nib. The nib in the picture appears tarnished. That's actually the sepia-colored ink. I couldn't wipe it off. Ink flow is just that good.

 

QM2 asked about the striated plastic...

 

I had wondered how they made this as well. At first, I thought it was cut from laminated stock. But now I realized it was hand painted by people with tiny hands.

 

Univer commented on the metal finish...

I will make no pretense on this. Mine, too, was poorly oxidized, like it had been sitting in the junk drawer for 40 years. Even though there does appear to be some brassing on the final product, it cleaned up comparatively well.

 

The fill-lever does have significant play, which I intentionally failed to mention. I asked Ross McKinney about it. He said: "The loose lever is very typical of the "-A" series in general and probably represents something of a design flaw. The lever arm above the pin is very short and seems to bend fairly easily - hence the floppy lever." I'm taking it back to my pen-guy before I attempt to break...er....dismantle it myself.

 

Final comment

 

Unfortunately, there is not a lot written about the history of Moore Pen, like say, Parker or Sheaffer. This is a shame. Like Wahl, Esterbrook, Wearever (before 1950), and John Holland, they were another great American pen company that produced quality writing instruments. Ross McKinney appears to be the greatest source of information, but his knowledge is not without limits. Thus, some of the history was inferred. For example, Ross states that the nib and pen appeared after 1941. However, I have seen other sources that state 1938-1942. I assumed that the pen was produced until 1946, only to be discontinued when Moore introduced the Fingertip pen, a catastrophic bomb both in design and sales. I liken the Moore Fingertip to the Ford Edsel. So ugly, I must have one.

 

 

 

 

[johnboz]

Your pen is gorgeous. I love that color! I got one of these in an "assorted fountain pen" lot from eBay. I restored mine and absolutely love it! My Maniflex nib has a fair amount of flex to it. It's no wet noodle, but it's flexy enough. Thanks for providing some info on this great pen.

 

Here's some quick photos of mine:

 

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/johnboz/DSC_1155.jpg

 

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/johnboz/DSC_1157.jpg

 

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/johnboz/DSC_1166.jpg

Edited January 22, 2009 by johnboz

[RevAaron]

I've got one of these myself! I hadn't realized that the model number was 94-A- I looked at the barrel end, expecting to see a model number there if there was one. I see now in the imprint on mine that there is "94 A", with the "9" looking a bit more like a 3 or ). Mine has discernible flex- with no pressure it writes a 0.4 mm line, a MF or so. And it flexes to 1.3mm. The older Maniflex nibs I've used were flexier, as others have said... Which always gets me wondering:

 

how the heck are you supposed to write on a manifold/non-carbon copy with one of these? For the Manifold bit are you supposed to flip the pen to write? I was impressed by the reverse side of the nib for writing on the 94-A I have, a smoother flipped point than most of the Sheaffer and Parker duo-points I've used.

[Randorider]

Nice review and a great pen. I love the styling of the clip. I'll be adding a new ebay search today.

[philm]

Here is the same pen (I believe) in black and gold. Thanks again for the background.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/munsonhsr/Moore%20Pens/DSC_0044-1.jpg

[MYU]

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn130/ToasterPastryphoto/IMG_1835.jpg

 

Stunning striation color scheme! This is one of the most attractive variations I've ever seen. Thanks very much for this detailed review, TP.

 

 

Moore made some truly beautiful looking pens, albeit not the most functional-friendly. But in addition to appearance, they did deliver some seriously performing nibs. PENnant had a really nice article on Moore pens in the fall of 2007 with a fantastic Moore featured on the cover photo.

 

http://www.pencollectors.com/images/content-images/fall2007.jpg

 

 

Edited January 23, 2009 by MYU

[pen2paper]

esp like the cap:shot of the cap jewel and clip-looks of 'the era'.

thanks for the review

Edited January 23, 2009 by pen2paper

[MinasTirithScribe]

Beautiful pen, and beautiful handwriting. Thanks for the review!

[Bill Smith]

Nice review, never seen many Moores in my part of the woods. Interesting pen.

[jonro]

Thanks for an excellent review of a great-looking pen. It really is quite striking and has some very nice detailing on the trim. I'm going to keep my eyes out for one of these.

[Ed333]

I picked up a restored Moore on a whim, and was immediately struck by the quality appearance of the pen. Then I inked it, and it is one of the best writers in my stable. I really enjoy it. It out-performs almost all my contemporaneous (early to mid - 40's) Parkers. I feel lucky to have found it, and do not understand why these pens are not better known. It has a semi-flex fine Maniflex nib, and green and gray striations, very attractive.

Edited September 23, 2014 by Ed333