Ta Tung 361 Compact

[HappySadFace]

Hello all. My mother recently showed me these two fountain pens that had been given to her by her grandfather, and asked me to identify them. Through some research I've determined them to be Ta Tung 361's and they look like this

Except one is mint green and the other is cherry red.

This is what it looks like disassembled

I'd really like to know about some history behind them like who made them and when. I know that they are at least 40 years old, if not more. Any information you have will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!!

[Happy Harry]

I can't help with the history but I have a Ta Tung and was surprised at how well made it was, mine is a piston filler and the quality of the nib is exceptional given these where very cheap pens.

[HappySadFace]

I was pleasantly surprised at the flex! I'm just sad that I don't have much to tell my mother about it's history.

[Tuppence Farthing]

I too have one of the pens its colour is a peachy-pink, I too would love some history on it.

The Knib of mine looks to be in very good condition and other than the colour it identical to yours.

If I manage to find out any information I come back and let you know.

 

 

 

I was pleasantly surprised at the flex! I'm just sad that I don't have much to tell my mother about it's history.

[Seele]

If I am not greatly mistaken, Ta Tung was a brand owned by Wing Sung. Please note that here Ta Tung is the transliteration of "Great Eastern", unlike the Taiwanese firm Tatung which sounds the same but means "Great Union".

 

If memory serves, most of these compact pens were made as children's pens, often with decorations such as teddy bear head fitted to the caps. There were most likely other makers producing similar compact pens as well, and even considering their lack of lofty aspirations - so to speak - they are actually very well built and are good writers.

 

I also have an early piston-filler Ta Tung 707 which is unfortunately not functional: the clear plastic reservoir section is cracked and the piston shaft snapped. Otherwise it's very well-built.

 

At the moment the most commonly found Ta Tung pen is the 717 which has a filling system like that in the Noodler's Ahab but permanently fixed. There is one heading my way eventually, and by all reports it is also a great writer.

 

Hope this is of some interest.