What Are Some Notable Vintage Ballpoints?

[MYU]

My favorite ballpoint pen was made by PILOT, the Hi-Tecpoint series. They actually still make this, but in a plastic body with two thicknesses. But in the early days, PILOT made them with steel bodies. The innovative thing was the nose cone had a "trapdoor" on it.

 

 

Well, the pen refill used was actually a very fine felt tip. And to keep it from drying out the door would close to seal it up. Unfortunately, the refill was of proprietary design... which means if you have one of these, you cannot buy a refill for it.

 

 

Well, being so enamored with the function, I was determined to get a refill to fit. I was eventually able to do it. I found a couple that would work, but required some DIY finagling. Not complicated though.

 

 

[VersoFolio]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:22 PM, Billiestylo said:

Hi Gary,

 

apparently, this pen uses refills with the general dimensions of Schneider refills, but without the pinched ridge.

 

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugelschreiber#/media/Datei:Ball_point_pen_refills_de.png

 

The refill format you need to look for is A2 (just like Schneider); there's a fairly rare alternative to the Schneider refills:

 

The Schmitt 700M (https://www.cultpens.com/i/q/SM16201/schmidt-700m-ballpoint-pen-refill) These refills have a ring-shaped ridge instead of the pinched one, and the ring is at a distance of 34mm from the tip (several mm closer to the tip than on the Schneider refills).

 

I have a much older Fend two-color ballpoint pen that uses these refills. I hope that this could solve your problem. I have not found any refills without any ridges (as your photos suggest).

My Schmidt A2 700M refills have arrived from Cult Pens. Everything fits perfectly and my vintage 'Fend' ballpoint is working well.

Thanks for the advice Billiestylo and thanks to Cult Pens UK for stocking refills for older models. Royal Mail and NZ Post got the order to me in good time as well. Very happy!

[Billiestylo]

@Gaudi95Glad I could help! 😁

[Chandon]

I'm still using a Montblanc Carrera from the 1970s - which I find is a very ergonomic pen. Modern refills need an adaptor but work fine. I also have a Ballpix from the same era.

Another one I use is the Lamy 280 (a companion pen to the Profil series, I think). It takes a Lamy M16 refill or a Monteverde one. 

[Zookie]

I have a Reynolds International from the mid forties. Lousy pen, but the first to hit the market in any significant numbers. It's an interesting story, well worth reading!