Pilot Japan 1930's Vintage Lever Filler Flexible Nib Review

[Pen_Noob]

I think this is a very rare find. Due to the looks and construction of the pen I dated it around 1930, but I could not find any information about these pens on the net, so maybe somebody can help out here.

 

Appearance and size: 10/10
As you can see this is a midsize pen, comfortable to hold and by far different than the mostly bland today's Pilots. It was made I think for export since it had english letters on it. The cellulloid? is quite stunning, one of the most beautiful pens I have ever seen. Also it is in a terrific shape, doesn't seem to have any discoloration, only maybe some tiny brassing spots, to be seen better in photos, not with the naked eye.

 

 

Construction: 10/10
Quite balanced pen, very well constructed. It shows to me why the current japanese pens have this good name. They started making good pens long long ago ...

 

Filling: 9/10
Standard lever filler, easy to fill, harder to clean. So a 9 for me, since I rotate pens often.

 

Nib: 10/10
One of the best nibs I ever wrote with. With no pressure it writes wet and smooth, a joy to use, like it a lot. And with pressure comes the flex. Joy again. It is quite flexible, probably in the superflex category.

 

Test Drive: 10/10
Very very nice to write with. If it would be a little bigger, probably it would be my favorite pen of all

 

Overall: 10/10
As you can see I am in love with it, so ....

Edited December 4, 2015 by Pen_Noob

[Keyless Works]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this rare pen. You don't see nice vintage Pilots surface very often.

[linearM]

Beautiful pen, must say I'm envious.....love flex nibs, especially on a beautiful pen.

[Peppers]

Is that a heart shaped breeding hole? Gosh, looks marvelous!

I've never seen one on a Pilot, would be my dream pen.

[Pen_Noob]

Yes, the nib seems to be original one. Says Pilot, made in japan on it etc.

[Abhik]

Its a beauty! Please share how did you find it and I see a nice imprint. What is written there? Can you please enlarge that part?

Enjoy.

Abhik

[Pen_Noob]

It is written like this:

PILOT

THE PILOT PEN MFG CO LTD.

MADE IN JAPAN

 

And on the nib:

WARRANTED

PILOT

14K

MADE IN JAPAN

-< 1 >-

HARDEST

[Intellidepth]

I didn't even know Pilot made pens back then, let alone flex like that. Thanks for showing your lovely find!

[hari317]

Nice pen. Congrats and thanks for reviewing it.

 

Your pen appears to be from the Pilot 53 family.

 

http://estilofilos.blogspot.jp/2014/10/53r.html

 

These models were also manufactured in India but as plain EDs without lever filling:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296710-pilot-eyedropper-filled-pen-made-in-india-celluloid/

 

Best

Hari

[sannidh]

Drool, Drool, Drool on Pilots.

Thanks for the wonderful review

[Algester]

if anyone would get over their prejudice this is a world war 2 era pen so the lack of gold was because of the gold reservation clause made by the Japanese government as they invade China

so Pilot had to make do with steel and made the "Shiro" nib as the result does seem to go with the Pilot 53 family but according to Cronicas Estilograficas this is the Pilot R series

I'm not sure who of the big three came first though Pilot was founded in 1918

Sailor at 1911... so whats left is Platinum...

Edited December 8, 2015 by Algester

[Bo Bo Olson]

Beautiful pen and nib.

[Drone]

Nice pen. Congrats and thanks for reviewing it.

 

Your pen appears to be from the Pilot 53 family.

 

http://estilofilos.blogspot.jp/2014/10/53r.html

 

These models were also manufactured in India but as plain EDs without lever filling:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/296710-pilot-eyedropper-filled-pen-made-in-india-celluloid/

 

Best

Hari

 

Nice find Hari. The pen 5th down from the top seems to be a match. The pen 2nd down from the top looks like it may be a Raden inlay.

[Pen_Noob]

What is funny is that from all pens in the post from Hari, this one, even if smallish, seems to be one of the most beautiful

[GuilhermeAtencio]

Sorry to revive this thread, but I found a pen that looks exactly like this one on the outside but with a different filling system.

It seems to be a Nomikommi-shiki, but the only place I found any reference to that is on the link.

Is it maybe a frankenpen or just a rare combination?

Thanks in advance.

http://i.imgur.com/dflF1SE.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Vsgp6xR.jpg

[Budzynski]

that's a truly beautiful pen!

[mitto]

Beaitiful pen. Simply beautiful.