Mabie Todd Swan 142 And 242 Models

July 6, 2015

In the interest of brand research, I will be sharing pictures and descriptions of my pens that can be grouped together.

Mabie Todd Swan 142 and 242 are flat top non tapered cap pens with interesting banding that seems to be unique to each color. The barrel end tapers slightly. I don't see any real difference between a 142 and 242. By convention, the 142 should be #1 nibs,, but all of mine had #2 nibs when I found them.

In the photo are:

1: 142/53 Scarlet with black and gold cap bands. Barrel imprint too worn to read. Nib is #2 England

2: unmarked scarlet pen. Cap is completely interchangeable with the larger 142/53. (Likely the "B" designation?). Barrel marked NY, Nib #2 NY

3: 142/51 Tangerine, orange, yellow. Take your pic of description. Mine is sadly missing the tangerine cap lip. NY barrel imprint. #2 English nib

4: 242/50 Jade with black and gold bands. NY imprint, Nib #2 England

5: unmarked Jade ring top version of #4 242/50. Smaller length and diameter than the smaller clipped scarlet pen. NY barrel, Nib #2 England.

6: 242/49 Black veined pearl. (Pen is actually in bad shape with warped cap, cracked barrel threads, but looks good in the tray). Barrel made in England. Nib is #2 NY.

7: 242/54 Black with jade bands and gold bands at both ends of cap. Imprint England, nib #2 England.

8: 142/52 Lapiz blue with light blue details. Barrel NY, Nib #2 England.

Edited July 6, 2015 by Greenie

July 6, 2015

Fabulous pens, Greenie.

Can you date them?

July 6, 2015

These are fantastic! I collect Mabie Todds, too.

In the interest of brand research, I will be sharing pictures and descriptions of my pens that can be grouped together.

Mabie Todd Swan 142 and 242 are flat top non tapered cap pens with interesting banding that seems to be unique to each color. The barrel end tapers slightly. I don't see any real difference between a 142 and 242. By convention, the 142 should be #1 nibs,, but all of mine had #2 nibs when I found them.

In the photo are:

1: 142/53 Scarlet with black and gold cap bands. Barrel imprint too worn to read. Nib is #2 England

2: unmarked scarlet pen. Cap is completely interchangeable with the larger 142/53. (Likely the "B" designation?). Barrel marked NY, Nib #2 NY

3: 142/51 Tangerine, orange, yellow. Take your pic of description. Mine is sadly missing the tangerine cap lip. NY barrel imprint. #2 English nib

4: 242/50 Jade with black and gold bands. NY imprint, Nib #2 England

5: unmarked Jade ring top version of #4 242/50. Smaller length and diameter than the smaller clipped scarlet pen. NY barrel, Nib #2 England.

6: 242/49 Black veined pearl. (Pen is actually in bad shape with warped cap, cracked barrel threads, but looks good in the tray). Barrel made in England. Nib is #2 NY.

7: 242/54 Black with jade bands and gold bands at both ends of cap. Imprint England, nib #2 England.

8: 142/52 Lapiz blue with light blue details. Barrel NY, Nib #2 England.

July 6, 2015

These are lovely. I almost got my hands on one of your No.5 (jade ring top) recently. Wasn't paying attention and lost out. Still a bit peeved...

July 6, 2015

I also have a 242/50 Swan, sweet little pen.

July 6, 2015

I did have a 242/52 made in New York; it was fitted with a "dip-tip" nib pictured below. Very big for a No 2 nib, unbelievably it wrote like a ballpoint and so I sold it.

I do have a 142/54 (also US-made) which I do suspect originally had a no2 nib because the feed was the shiny black type with a point just like the one on the 242/52. Unfortunately some clever dick has got at the section with his little file and installed a later No 3 nib. Some day 'll have a new section made; I do have a suitable No2 nib available currently in a redundant 230/60B.

Cob