13 replies to this topic

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks! 

 

This is an Esterbrook M2 aerometric squeeze filler fountain pen in black c. 1960.   It is a 5 5/16 inch long chrome plated metal cap and plastic barrel pen.  The cap top has an indent running front to back, like the indent in a man's hat.  The filler unit is similar to later Parker types, a long sac protector with a looped squeeze bar at the end.  The filler is marked ESTERBROOK over PRESS BAR 3 TIMES over TO FLUSH AND FILL.  The barrel has an Esterbrook imprint.   It uses all of the 32 different available Esterbrook Renew Point replaceable stainless steel nib units.  Known colors include: black, red, olive green, turquoise, blue, and gray.  It sold for $2.95 with a Durachrome nib and $3.50 with a Master nib.

 

I would like to know if anyone has advertisements or price sheets that confirm the production dates of these pens and the colors offered.  How many colors were there?

 

I also believe there are lever-fill M2s - is that correct?

 

 

Thanks!

 

[gweimer1]

Brian Anderson's site has some good info.

 

http://www.esterbrook.net/m2.shtml

[gweimer1]

I'll add that I was surprised to find this one was made in the UK.

 

[PenHero]

I'll add that I was surprised to find this one was made in the UK.

And with a 14 karat gold nib!!

[pajaro]

The Esterbrook fans don't seem to care much about M2s.  Back a few years when I was interested in Esterbrook, I bought a few NOS M2s on ebay for about $18.  I don't think there were competitors for these pens.  I have always wondered why there seemed to be little interest in these excellent pens.  The Js, Reliefs and more exotic stuff seem to garner all the interest.  Perhaps it's because they aren't lever fillers.

[gweimer1]

The Esterbrook fans don't seem to care much about M2s.  Back a few years when I was interested in Esterbrook, I bought a few NOS M2s on ebay for about $18.  I don't think there were competitors for these pens.  I have always wondered why there seemed to be little interest in these excellent pens.  The Js, Reliefs and more exotic stuff seem to garner all the interest.  Perhaps it's because they aren't lever fillers.

 

I love the M2 pens!  They are a perfect '50s pen, and have a balance and feel similar to how the Parker 51 feels in the hand.  I always recommend them to people who don't care for the J series, and have a couple in regular use.  I just got a fountain/ballpoint M2 set, too.  My best, and most recent, NOS price for an M2 was about $12.  It seems that nobody likes the gray ones.

[PenHero]

 

I love the M2 pens!  They are a perfect '50s pen, and have a balance and feel similar to how the Parker 51 feels in the hand.  I always recommend them to people who don't care for the J series, and have a couple in regular use.  I just got a fountain/ballpoint M2 set, too.  My best, and most recent, NOS price for an M2 was about $12.  It seems that nobody likes the gray ones.

 

I think they are very similar to the Eversharp Slim Venturas.  Also a fun and underappreciated pen.

[pajaro]

$12 for an NOS M2.  That seems unappreciated.

 

The squeeze filler attracted me to these pens.  I have some of my better Esterbrook stub nibs in them.

 

When we had a going loaner program going, I don't remember any requests to borrow an M2.  That's a pity.  These pens are reliable and rugged.  I have resacked a couple of them, and it is pretty easy to do.

[Autopoint]

As I recollect, however, the pocket clip is a real "shirt pocket tearer".  Not so?  Anyone actually carry these?

- - - Jim

[pajaro]

As I recollect, however, the pocket clip is a real "shirt pocket tearer".  Not so?  Anyone actually carry these?

- - - Jim

I carried them sometimes before retiring.  Maybe some shirts are more susceptible to tearing from these pens.  I usually wore Oxford cloth shirts.  I never had a problem.  Others might have.  Possibly the used pens I had were loosened up by tearing other shirts.  I have a couple of NOS M2s.  I'll try them on a cannon fodder shirt..

[AL01]

 I have an NOS one...

 

 I decided to not ink it up cause I think it may overtake my J!

 

 BUT I do have a question...

 

 ... My cap is weird.

 

 It screws down all the way but it doesn't reach the step like it should.

 

 http://www.esterbrook.net/m2.shtml

 

 (Kinda like the dark blue one.)

 

 Can I do anything about it??

[bsenn]

 
 BUT I do have a question...
 
 ... My cap is weird.
 
 It screws down all the way but it doesn't reach the step like it should.
 
 http://www.esterbrook.net/m2.shtml
 
 (Kinda like the dark blue one.)
 
 Can I do anything about it??

I have a couple NOS A101 pens, same thing. Inner cap must go tight against the section before the cap lip reaches the step. That's better than the opposite condition...

[AL01]

 Ah okay...

 

 Thanks!

[pajaro]

I carried them sometimes before retiring.  Maybe some shirts are more susceptible to tearing from these pens.  I usually wore Oxford cloth shirts.  I never had a problem.  Others might have.  Possibly the used pens I had were loosened up by tearing other shirts.  I have a couple of NOS M2s.  I'll try them on a cannon fodder shirt..

The NOS M2s do not tear my shirt pockets.  I tried them.