Looking for info on Swan Mabie Todd eyedropper

[arz]

I am trying to find some further information on this Swan eyedropper. I've found a bit of info online, but not a close enough match (I saw some of the sample pages from Moak's book and a few pages from Penhero's site).

For instance, because it says Mabie, Todd & Bard (on pen, not just on box) it is 1906 or earlier, correct? I bought it because of the lovely repoussé snailing gold bands, the cool way that the cap is secured and its chain, and because of the awesome condition of the box. You should be able to see this in the pictures attached. The body has the Swan imprint and patent info, and the plain band and repoussé on the cap both have numbers imprinted.

Please let me know if any further information from me will help with id/dating, etc.

 

Any information is much appreciated! I'm mainly a Sheaffer collector and so this is really venturing out of my comfort zone.

 

The more I look at this pen, the more I love it!

 

arz

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3020979184_514c5d2dd6.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3038/3020979520_d78a0b1725.jpg

Edited November 28, 2008 by Gerry

[AllWriteNow]

arz,

It's a great looking pen.

I have a real soft spot for the early eyedropper pens.

It is hard to date them with much pinpoint accuracy.

I'd suggest the pre-1906 is as good as any.

 

Is there a number on the nib? Probably not

How long is the pen capped?

What are the numbers on the bands?

 

These can be really fun to write with. Does the nib have generous flex?

 

Have you had much experience writing with flex nibs?

They can be a good bit different than the firm Sheaffers' nibs.

 

Nice Pen!

 

Steve

Edited November 2, 2008 by luckygrandson

[arz]

Thanks for your comments, Steve!

 

The pen measures about 5 1/4 inches. I haven't cleaned or tried to open the pen. The nib has the overfeed/underfeed thing--does that help? I need to find out more information about that, as well.

 

The bands have the following numbers:

Repoussé band: RD 303254 (D is underlined)

plain gold band: RD303253 (D is underlined)

 

Here's the Patent pending info.:

PAT. FEB. 8 81.FEB.21.82.MAR.6.88

 

So...what is the relevance of those years to the date of the pen?

There's also no chasing on the cap, but candy cane (?) swirling chasing on the body.

 

Does any of this help?

Best,

arz

[AllWriteNow]

I'll do more research...

 

Thanks for the details.

 

About the only thing the patent dates tell you is that the pen was made on or after March 6, 1888. Coincidentally 96 years earlier

to the day that my daughter was born.

 

I'll see what I can find.

 

can you try to get close ups of the nib and feed?

 

Steve

Edited November 2, 2008 by luckygrandson

[arz]

So, your daughter was born the same year as my younger brother

 

Our photography skills are not great, but my husband was able to get a better closeup with the help of a magnifying glass. I cleaned up the nib and there IS writing, close to the base you should be able to make it out in the picture (I can see M and a T below it on one side; can't make out the letters on the other). I am not confident enough to remove the nib, though (would it slip out from between the under- and overfeed?).

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3020148909_ebb0369d23.jpg

 

Thank you so much for looking into this for me! My fp reference library is still poor...but I hope to improve it.

 

arz

Edited November 28, 2008 by Gerry

[arz]

Update! I just found this completed listing on ebay (who knew what a resource ebay could be!).

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mabie-Swan-ladies-chat...id=p3286.c0.m14

 

The patent numbers are different, however. And mine has the smooth lower cap band and funky closure.

 

[shalitha33]

Sorry about replaying to a very very old post. just noticed that one of these pens on a local auction site yesterday. This one also seem to have the number RD 303253.

 

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2638602068

 

peytonstreet pens also have some images which are much more clear.

 

https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/mabie-todd-and-bard-swan-fountain-pen-bayonet-chatelaine-eyedropper-gf-trim-over-underfeed-flexible-medium-superior-works-well.html

 

How common were these pens and did other manufacturers use these type of locking systems before switching to screw caps ? Almost all my straight slip-cap vintage pens have tight fitting caps. so i am guessing this is a fairly secure (and simple) way to make sure pen doesn't fall off when hanging by the cap.

 

Edited June 2, 2020 by shalitha33

[Greenie]

I am not aware of other makers having systems like this. Plural, as there were two. The one shown is the earlier. Later, the metal stud is hidden, and the cap band is actually a rotating locking collar. They aren't that common, but not that rare either. The locking kind is often broken with the metal stud ripped off. It can be replaced.

 

These systems makes it a true chatelaine pen, as opposed to a chatelaine case that contains a slender straight cap dropper filled pen.

 

Here is a thread about the numbers on the cap

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/340510-swan-chatelaine-sequential-numbers-on-cap/

 

And some demonstration and discussion of the locking type chatelaine bayonet cap

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/288914-show-me-your-swan-eyedroppers/page-3

[shalitha33]

Thank you Greenie for all the info .

 

Its funny how seeing a random auction site can lead one down a rabbit-hole until one badly wants to have the article in question . Managed to convince the buyer of the auction to sell it to me and now is waiting for it to get shipped across.

[Greenie]

You are certainly welcome. These are interesting and beautiful early pens, and they still write well if you wish to use them. The chatelaine cap adds an interesting extra piece of history about how pens were carried and used in the early days.

[shalitha33]

finally got it today. locking system works surprisingly well , much better than I expected.

 

[Greenie]

That is a great example of this pen. Congrats!

[Inkyways]

This pen looks very special.

Yes there so many Swan pens and the earliest pens had very special craftsmanships and design skills. I also have several eye droppers and they are very different in sizes and styles.

I don't bother to find out they belongs to what year or period. All I can guess is there are centuries old and beautiful writers. I don't own any full flex pens but I am sure I am not used to flex fountain pens when using. It is an odd thing to say but truly you have to have a good skill to do it with a pen. With a dip pen it is easy thing to do flex writing.

 

Very nice pen and must give a full restoring to get out the glories look.