Onoto / De La Rue Identification (Id)

[penina]

I have recently acquired this Onoto pen. I cannot make head or tail of its filling mechanism, nor which model of Onoto it is.

 

The barrel imprint reads: 'ONOTO THE PEN' 'DE LA RUE LONDON'. The large nib is a number '3' 'De La Rue London'.

The material is black plastic with a light wavy pattern. The cap fits rather than screws to the barrel. All parts appear to be original though I cannot be sure if a cap clip was once present.

 

Measurements:

Overall length: 137mm

Length Uncapped: 132mm

Barrel: 10mm wide

 

The grip section does not unscrew from the barrel like an eyedropper or lever filler, and the at the rear of the barrel there does not appear to be a blind cap.

 

Is this a dip pen? I have never seen an Onoto in this configuration.

 

Any help greatly appreciated

[praxim]

Looks like one of the Onoto Streamline series, 1920s, hard rubber rather than plastic. It is basically a vacuum filler with a single long push action. I will be very surprised (and re-educated) if it will not unscrew at the back, eventually. One clue is to search for the knob locking pin. You may be able to see two little 1 mm circles, possible indentations, near the end of the plunger knob on opposite sides.

 

As for why it will not unscrew there, a couple of possible reasons are:

- ink leaking past the plunger rod seal has gummed the back end threads;

- the plunger washer has ossified to the extent it is apparently locking the knob.

 

Try removing the section with the usual dry heat. Inside you may see the plunger cone and be able to scrape out any old plunger washer bits to free any tension on the plunger knob. You can not draw it out though. For that, knock out the pin I mentioned earlier after which you can remove the knob safely and push out the plunger assembly for a replacement cup washer, and probably new rear seal.

 

If any of this sounds unfamiliar or risky, please send that excellent pen with its wonderful No.3 nib to an expert restorer, of which there are some in England and Scotland at least. I would be happy to fix it for you but you would not be happy with the round trip freight.

[quilluser]

I came into possession of one of these a few weeks back. It worked but wouldn't hold a great deal of ink. I contacted Onoto who put me in touch with Mark Catley of Vintage Fountain Pens (vintage fountainpens.co.uk) and he has carried out an excellent refurbish and repair.

 

Since getting this pen I have fallen for Onoto pens and now have three, all with the vacuum filling system. They are so good to use.

Edited April 19, 2019 by quilluser

[praxim]

I was using an Onoto 2500 just before checking this thread now. They are great writers.

[TheDutchGuy]

Onotos are awesome, just awesome.

[penina]

Praxim, thank you very much - its always a pleasure to get expert advise.

 

I suspected the circles on the rear of the barrel were connected to a pin, it just seems the blind cap is so welded to the barrel it made me question whether it will ever open!

I will have a go at opening the section and see what lies inside.

 

If beyond me I shall look at a professional restoration, it would be so great to have it writing again, it is such a lovely slender design.

 

Any other information on this pen greatly appreciated.

[Azuniga]

I have been writing with an Onoto 1850 / 42 the last few days, it is wonderful to write with.

In most cases there is a model number written in the lowest part of the knob at the end of the barrel... some times the print is not legible anymore but if there is one you will find it...

 

There is an important book about Onoto (in case you do not know about it)

 

https://onoto.com/product/the-onoto-book/

 

Good luck, you have a great pen there !!

[northlodge]

Praxim, thank you very much - its always a pleasure to get expert advise.

 

I suspected the circles on the rear of the barrel were connected to a pin, it just seems the blind cap is so welded to the barrel it made me question whether it will ever open!

 

I will have a go at opening the section and see what lies inside.

 

If beyond me I shall look at a professional restoration, it would be so great to have it writing again, it is such a lovely slender design.

 

Any other information on this pen greatly appreciated.

 

I would caution against this.

 

If you do not have the skill / equipment to service the pen, then why risk damaging it in opening it up. Reverse threads, solidified seals, and the potential for breaking the piston rod, might all suggest this is one better left for someone who knows what they are doing.

 

.....And it is almost certainly worth getting restored.