Swan 192/45

[chunya]

Hi,

Has anyone heard of a 192/45?

I made an impulsive buy at a live auction, prompted I think by the fact that I'd been outbid on my previous two Lots.

 

One is an early N92, the green ring top with yellow and black bands. I've managed to find this in the revised Swan pen Numbers Doc, and it says that it dates to (surprisingly) c1917.

 

However, I can't find any mention for the black one, which is clearly marked 192/45 ... The document lists a 192/34, also a ring top but not quite the same. This one also has a small cartouche in the cap.

 

Apologies for the photos, daylight is rapidly disappearing.

 

 

 

 

 

[Greenie]

The multi bold banded ring tops came in a lot of styles. They were marked 192/xx (with a 292/xx in the mix for no clear reason). The last two digits were the banding pattern number.

 

I love these little Swans. I also have that model and it too is labeled 192/45.

 

From left to right, 192/32, 33, 35, and 45

 

(That green moire you picked up has nice color. If you have buyers remorse about the impulse buy, the green would fit nicely in the tray next to my blue one.)

[chunya]

That is a great collection you have there, Greenie, and it's nice to see that Swan always seemed to have had an interesting numbering system! I rarely allow myself to suffer remorse, otherwise my life would be a miserable lot! If I decide not to keep the greenie then I'll let you know.

All the best

[pen2paper]

Photo evidence of why I follow early fountain pen history discussions. Thanks both!

 

The moire is in very nice condition. Did it come with a sac? And will you opt to resac or (possibly) protect the light moire without a sac or silicone?

(Not a sac debate, simply admiring its current condition)

[chunya]

Thanks pen2paper,

 

The existing sac is probably petrified, the lever barely moves and the section won't unscrew easily, so I am going to take a great deal of care in handling the pen. It is a lovely colour and probably nearest photo 2 ... amazing how the colour changes in the three photos when taken seconds apart from slightly different angles!

[Greenie]

And while most fountain pen collectors shun these little ring tops, I have found these little guys to be great writing pens. Two are pretty darn flexy, one not, and for some reason I didn't note how the fourth one wrote....

 

With the cap posted, it is the same length as your typical twist ballpoint.

[sidthecat]

Oh, yummy! Is it a sin to covet my neighbor's pen?