GAMA is a pen brand in existence from the 1940's in South India. Gem and Company in Madras (now Chennai) are the owners of this trademark and market these pens from their showroom on NSC Bose road. The present line up of Gama pens are plastic pens, huge capacity ED filled, equipped with steel nibs, but it was not always like this. In the past they had a nice line of Gold nibbed models such as the Gama Kid, Gama Coronation, Gama Manifold and the Gama Royal. In addition to pocket pens, from time to time they also made some hand turned acrylic desk pens in really limited numbers. This post features the Gama Royal, Gama Manifold and an unnamed desk pen.

GAMA Royal:

The Royal was their flagship model in the 1950s-1970s. The pen is modelled after the Parker 51 and VS in external looks. The body is made of a nice plastic which has held up very nicely in the two pens that I have. The cap is gold filled and looks very similar to a 51 cap, the clip shape is different though. The clutch ring and the cap clutch look very much like 51 units. The nib is very sturdy (also firm) and is made of 14Ct gold. A well made comb type feeder is used. The pen is ED filled. During the time they were made, the pens were priced at INR 50 to 60. Have a look at the photos:

The Royals with a '46 Vac 51 for comparison:


The pen posted:


Nib and feeder details, observe the '54 Date code:






The Cap and barrel stamped GAMA:



The plastic Cap jewels:


Gama MANIFOLD:

My Manifold is fitted with a 14Ct Manifold nib with a 15 year point, the nib I am told was rated for 15 years of continuous use.




Gama Desk pen:

This desk pen is fitted with a nice steel nib, the pen is around 30 cms in length, I have not had the heart to ink this one up yet.





Hope you enjoyed reading about some extinct examples of the GAMA pen as much as I enjoyed writing about them.

Cheers,
Hari

No words for you Hari!

Hari,
Gama pen certainly looks beautiful.
Desk pen looks cute? How did you manage to get that pen in this pristine condition? How that pen was supposed to be used with out a supplied base & flute?
Finish of Gama pens are looking better than other vintage pens you posted in recent pasts!
Warm wishes from heartland of Africa!
Abhik.

Edited: Some personal comments made earlier.

Thanks for the info and photos! That desk pen looks so fascinating.

Doug

Hari,
Your posts are consistently fascinating, and very well photographed.
The Royal nib is a direct copy of the Montblanc wingnib on the 25x series of pens, down to the star outline with the letter inside. Nothing wrong with copying the best.
Thanks again,
gary

Hari, I just saw you photo-srvet of some Chennai pen shops! Did you also got some Mini-Ed filler celluloid pens? If, yes, please post some photos of those lovely Parker Vacumatic clones as well!! That is good for me!
Abhik.

Another great post, Hari. Thank you! I especially like that desk pen. I can understand why you haven't inked it yet.

Oh boy are those nice. Great reviews, and thanks for taking the time with the detailed pics. Wow. I really like all of these pens. Utterly cool desk pen. Thanks!

Hi Abhik, The shopowner gave me that pen from his personal collection. You get a desk ink well set with a concave depression to keep the deskpen horizontally upon.



Thanks Gary for your kind comments. The Royal seems to have inherited (borrowed) the best from all the brands!

Leigh, Fateh and Sharkle, thanks for your kind comments.

Best Regards,
Hari

Hari:
Are you from Chennai? I am also a pen collector and know Prathap Kumar of GEM pens quite well. I would love to get in touch with you. Please send me an e-mail to sprasad_m@rediffmail.com, with your contact number and I shall call you.

Sathya Prasad (Brahmam)