Esterbrook Plunger-Fill Fountain Pens

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is an Esterbrook Plunger-Fill fountain pen c. 1959. Esterbrook introduced the Safari line in 1957, the company’s 100^th anniversary, as an all plastic cartridge pen that could hold two cartridges, thus the name Safari Twin-Cartridge Fountain Pen. The new pen continued the use of the 32 different available Esterbrook Renew Point replaceable stainless steel nib units. The cap was changed to a metal one by 1959. Esterbrook took that pen and created a new model with a new name by adding a plunger fill system similar to the one used on the Sheaffer Imperial I. Plunger-Fill pens operate by unscrewing the blind cap at the end of the barrel and pulling out the short plunger. Inside the barrel is a bulb shaped sac that is compressed by air pressure when the plunger is pushed in and the pressure is released at the bottom of the stroke when the end of the plunger reaches a widened space in the barrel, letting the compressed air out through a hole in the barrel and allowing the ink sac to fill. The plunger does not directly compress the ink sac. Instructions for the pen called for two cycles to fill it. The 5 7/16 inch long pen came in six colors: black, navy blue, blue, green, red and gray, and sold for $3.95.

 

I would love to see photos of the other 5 colors and any ads of this model. I only have the 1959 Saturday Evening Post ad describing this as a new model.

 

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/EsterbrookPlungerFIll_1280_01.jpg

 

Thanks!

[gweimer1]

I'll try to add some photos. I have them in black, red and green. I'm still trying to figure out how to resac one of them. I have a general idea how they work, but getting it apart has been my first challenge.

[Brian Anderson]

I have all six colors listed at the bottom of this page. Green and light blue were the best colors, in my opinion.

[AAAndrew]

I’ve long ago given up on collecting them all, but sheesh. A whole different filling system? Sigh.

[BamaPen]

I only have one of the plunger fillers, in black, but still in the original box, with filling direction sheet and appears never to have been used.

 

[pajaro]

I have them in green and dark blue. They are the Esterbrooks I like. Work like the Sheaffer Touchdown.

 

There was a thread years ago about resacking them.

[PaFitch]

My recollection from the previous threads is that the section can be almost impossible to separate from the pen. I picked up a warped pen at a flea market ($1). The plunger system doesn't slide but the ink sac was still usable and the section separated from the pen easily so I could look at the inside. I filled it eye dropper style (but have only used it once).

[gregamckinney]

I have all six colors listed at the bottom of this page. Green and light blue were the best colors, in my opinion.

 

At one point, I was a Esterbrook completist collector, but then I decided I would never get even a fraction of the Relief pens and set them aside.

The Plunger-Fills in my collection are on the left, just above the Safaris.

 

My sentimental Esterbrook favorite is in this pic too, a Nurse's CA-101. Seem to be pretty scarce. Mine came mint in box.

 

 

 

Best Regards, greg

[PenHero]

 

At one point, I was a Esterbrook completist collector, but then I decided I would never get even a fraction of the Relief pens and set them aside.

The Plunger-Fills in my collection are on the left, just above the Safaris.

 

 

My sentimental Esterbrook favorite is in this pic too, a Nurse's CA-101. Seem to be pretty scarce. Mine came mint in box.

 

 

 

Best Regards, greg

 

Amazing collection! Thanks!