Identification Of A Pen

[Khufu]

 

Well, there are several people mentioned in the above posts who might be able to restore your Barclay and get it into working condition. Maybe you should start with FPN member Khufu who is very knowledgeable. Just use the PM function. If that doesn't work for you, I may have another option in Praha.

 

And, no, I do not speak Czech, but hey, I know how to use Google Translate! And Barclay, Centropen, Smaragd, etc. are among my most prized pens! (I have a silver Centropen I have to get restored...)

 

ETA: A ne, nemluvím česky, ale hej, já vím, jak používat Google Translate! A Barclay, Centropen, Smaragd, atd. patří mezi mé nejvíce ceněných per! (Mám stříbro Centropen musím se obnovit ...) Hope that this came out more or less clearly.

Hello,

 

as i noticed you´ve mentioned Smaragd pens, here is a picture of the piston filling mechanism used in these pens, a copy from patent file.

It was an innovating system invented by Czechoslovak FP inventor Jaroslav Zahel and deposed in 1950:

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u636/Centropens/4_zpsa0181c7e.jpg

 

Here is a comparison between classic piston filler and Zahel´s one:

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u636/Centropens/1_zps9dc929ee.jpg

Edited February 11, 2014 by Khufu

[ehemem]

Thank you very much, Khufu. I hope I never have to disassemble a Smaragd! But this is very interesting information.

 

A little aside: most native English speakers find it difficult or impossible to pronounce Smaragd correctly. Perhaps it is one reason these pens are not better known over here...

[Khufu]

You are welcome.

I have several Smaragd pens in laminated celluloid (UMA production, like used on Centropen "Wasp" pens) and these pens are really nice and rare. I will post some pictures of disassembled filling system.

Here is a copy of an article published in Czechoslovak design magazine Tvar (in April 1952) introducing brand new FPs firstly designed by engineers from newly established national company Centropen which had its HQ (until 1964) in integrated ex Sagitta and ex J.Brod sites in Pardubice. Jaroslav Zahel was the chief design engineer. The article claims Smaragd pens were "introduced this year", so in 1952.

I think i will translate the article as i found it very interesting.

 

http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u636/Centropens/1_zpsa56876c6.jpg

Edited February 12, 2014 by Khufu

[ehemem]

Thank you again, Khufu. i am looking forward to the translation of the article!

[MilosC]

I found the Czech text from the Tvar magazine a concentrate of stupidity. The author argues, sincerely or not, that nationalized production (i.e. in facilities stolen by the state from company founders) is more efficient, enabling the highest quality of products, capable of better quality than in the free enterprise system, etc etc etc. In another Czech industrial branch, the nationalized motorcycle industry lost its postwar edge and even contact with fast-developing Japanese makers. This was caused not only by nationalization only but by the stupid policy of Comecon countries (and, of course, the Comecon headquarters) which demanded more simple two-stroke engines that could be serviced by mechanics with only basic training.

[Derchan]

Hello guys,

 

i bought Centropen 1304 in aluminium version last Christmas and i´m overexciting. It´s heavy than celluloid Centropen that´s i have, but writing with it is very comfortable. Like small bonus it has a litlle flexible nib - 42 S. I got it with little damaged filling system, but now it´s OK ! Unfortunately it´s more scratched around the bottom of cap, but it is little problem. It´s my little jewel. :-)

Edited February 4, 2016 by Derchan

[pen2paper]

after year 1949 Barclay pens 1304 and 1302 were originally fitted with Ripedium steel nibs or 14Ct Ripet nibs - both of František Kroutl design, as his company was closed in 1949, comunnist centralised economy was finally happy to have his nibs and machinery + know how + gold/irridium supplies and experienced workers!They were produced until 1969 and were fitted on luxurious/export versions of Centropen pens.Centropen nibs were not fitted originally on silver pens. I have 3 of those pens in NOS condition with original box and papers - Everytime it has Kroutl nib. Centropen nibs were used as later replacement and were not primarily intended to be mounted on silver Barclay 1304 type and Barclay 1302 type. After 1948 Centropen nibs were mounted on cheaper pens, instead more luxurious pens had usually Ripedium/Ripet nibs, not surprising.BTW before WW2 Barclay pens were fitted with their own Barclay nibs. Today those are very rare, i have only 2 of them for now. Great quality 14Ct nibs.I am working on complete history of Czechoslovakian pen companies, i have discovered many interesting facts in the archives. I am preparing nice website about it. You will see and understand many things