Onoto 6233-35 Pens

[jhataway]

Hello to all,

 

I have an Onoto 6235 dated fron the late 1940s in black with the barleycorn chasing. Is the pen body and cap made from a hard rubber or some plastic? Thanks.

[Cob]

Hello to all,

 

I have an Onoto 6235 dated fron the late 1940s in black with the barleycorn chasing. Is the pen body and cap made from a hard rubber or some plastic? Thanks.

The pen body & cap of your 6235 are made from plastics material - note that the clip screw might be either BHR or plastics. I have seen both on later Onotos. Obviously easy to tell.

 

6235s are handsome pens with the big bi-colour nibs and extra trim; they always do well when they come up for auction.

 

Cob

[barriep]

Plastic in the 1930s onwards.

[jhataway]

Thanks. Do you know which plastic? Celluoid?

[Cob]

I have some old barrels here; I 'll try one with a bit of acetone tomorrow. I am pretty sure that they are Celluloid.

 

Cob

Edited January 26, 2018 by Cob

[praxim]

I have a 6233 in repair at the moment. From discolouration evidence, the cap finial is hard rubber. I do not know what form of plastic they used for the rest of the cap and barrel. I think it more likely to be cellulose acetate than nitrate, or else some other resin. I will wait on Cob's test.

[Cob]

Yes the clip screws are usually hard rubber although I have come across plastics ones too. The BHR ones usually unscrew readily with a bit of dry heat - obviously heat is no good with the plastics ones - you must soak instead.

 

I have tested a 5601 cap (same material as 62xx pens). I am certain that it is Celluloid.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

[richardandtracy]

My 6233 is from the 1950's according to Mr Hull's book, and has a BHR cap finial and plunger end. The rest is plastic.

 

Regards

 

Richard

[Methersgate]

I have just noticed, whilst reading the technical article on the Magnas on Dr Oldfields website, that in 1937 the 6233-4-5 were advertised by De La Rue as standard Onotos, as opposed to the Magnas and the Minors.

 

I rather like that! (Of course, De La Rue were probably copying Parker who were selling Oversize, Standard, and Slender Vacumatics in the same year.)

 

http://www.penpractice.com/page25.html

[Methersgate]

The clip screw on my black, barleycorn chased, 6235 is now obviously hard rubber (it has discoloured with the passage of time, but carrying the pen clipped in a suit jacket pocket is enough to buff away the oxidation).

[boilermaker1975]

I just this year discovered Onotos. I have purchased four of the modern Onotos so far, great pens.

 

Thanks for calling my attention to this thread and the link, http://www.penpractice.com/page25.html !

[Methersgate]

I have never seen one of the modern Onotos. They look nice. My “probably 1940s” black 6235 has replaced the Mont Blanc 149 that I bought new in 1988 as my everyday pen because it is at least as reliable and it’s nicer to write with!

 

I can recommend Dr Oldfield, and his books.

[VacNut]

Modern ONOTO are quality pens assembled in the UK, from parts made in the rest of the world. 
Based on their prices, I prefer buying the vintage ONOTO. The vintage nibs are more responsive to the hand.

[Methersgate]

On 11/2/2025 at 7:13 PM, VacNut said:

Modern ONOTO are quality pens assembled in the UK, from parts made in the rest of the world. 
Based on their prices, I prefer buying the vintage ONOTO. The vintage nibs are more responsive to the hand.

I do like vintage ONOTO nibs!