What Is This Pen?

[elknightfoster]

Hi!

 

I was hoping somebody could help me out with this little dilemma.

 

In 2001 my grandfather passed away unexpectedly in a car accident. Somehow, after that, I snatched up one of his favorite pens from his desk stand and I've had it ever since!!

 

I've been missing him dearly lately and would like to purchase new cartridges for his pen so that I can use it myself, but I found myself wondering... what is this pen?!

 

After much research and deliberation with a group of friends and family on Facebook, my grandmother insists it was a Cross brand pen. There are no markers on the cartridge or the pen to suggest Cross, but I was hoping someone here could help me out so I can be sure!!!

 

He had these pens since before I was born or shortly after, so I'd date the pen anywhere between 1970 - 1990? Hard telling in my case as I know NOTHING about pens.

 

Thank you in advance for your help!!!!

 

 

[OCArt]

The overall shape is very similar to a Cross ballpoint that was very popular in that timeframe. Can you show us the refill that's inside?

[elknightfoster]

Sure!! There aren't any markings on the cartridge like other cartridges I've seen in research.

 

[stuck-in-time]

The profile of the pen does look like a cross and it uses a refill typical of that of a Cross. Other name brand pens (Parker, Sheaffer, etc.) rarely, if ever, use this kind of refill (I've never seen one, but other members could clarify on this) but it is also used by many no-name pens.

 

Cross refills are usually marked, but these refills are widely available from many suppliers, many of them unmarked. Your grandfather may just be using generic refills in his Cross.

[elknightfoster]

So do you think that if I purchased a generic cartridge that is similar I could use his pen?

[cattar]

Try it and see.

 

Next time, listen to your grandmother.

Pen looks like a Cross.

[stuck-in-time]

I believe so. I don't actually know the official name for the cartridge, but I've seen many cheaper Chinese pens using them.

 

It is worth noting, though, that, in my country at least, generic refills of this type are not commonly found in stores. We do have a very small selection of refills available here, so maybe you will have better luck in your US stores. In fact, here, the only place to get the m easily here are the Cross counters. If you ask any of Cross salesperson for pen refills, I'm quite sure they will offer you these. A simple internet search for "Cross pen refill" will mostly give you this type.

 

If you do find a generic refill, I'm quite sure that it'd fit. You can always bring the old refill you have to make sure that the screw thread size, refill length & diameter are the same.

Edited February 1, 2017 by stuck-in-time

[elknightfoster]

Thank you everyone! I did trust my grandmother, but couldn't find the pen online to refill the cartridges. I really appreciate the help!!!