Onoto Da La Rue Pens.

[eckiethump]

Very nice group of early Onoto pens there.

et

[krissen]

On 12/11/2021 at 11:50 AM, eckiethump said:

The latest group of Onoto's to service, some of which will be recognisable to people with Steve Hulls Onoto book. 

 

 

Which model might the fourth from the right be? Recently acquired one that looks very similar indeed, albeit with no visible markings what so ever (and a Parker nib which, no doubt, is not original to the pen).

[soapytwist]

12 hours ago, krissen said:

 

Which model might the fourth from the right be?

 

It's a 3000 - there was also a shorter version (the 2000). You see them in various guises - with gold bands or cased in silver or gold. Stef at Grandmia Pens has a few YT videos:

 

ONOTO 3000 Review

[krissen]

On 12/12/2023 at 10:52 AM, soapytwist said:

 

It's a 3000 - there was also a shorter version (the 2000). You see them in various guises - with gold bands or cased in silver or gold. Stef at Grandmia Pens has a few YT videos:

 

ONOTO 3000 Review

 

Thank you for the reply! However, I’m not sure it is correct. The end of the pen looks quite different. Minor differences in the cap as well. (Not talking about the bands.)

Edited December 22, 2023 by krissen
typo

[Methersgate]

Here are most of mine. All made by De la Rue at least seventy years ago.

 

From the left, a 3000, hard rubber, no.3 nib, wearing its aftermarket nickel silver clip, an interloping De La Rue Pen with lever fill and what is obviously an Onoto 22 nib marked “TDLR&Co”, a maroon K2, a black K1 with an italic nib, a pair of 6235s, with no.5 two colour nibs, a Magna pencil and a Magna, with its No.7 nib.

 

The picture with most of them capped shows the K2 with the hood off to show the nib. Despite being 70 years old the “window” hasn’t “ambered” at all.

 

They are all a pleasure to write with and they are all practical everyday pens.
 

[ParramattaPaul]

22 minutes ago, Methersgate said:

Here are most of mine. All made by De la Rue at least seventy years ago.

 

From the left, a 3000, hard rubber, no.3 nib, wearing its aftermarket nickel silver clip, an interloping De La Rue Pen with lever fill and what is obviously an Onoto 22 nib marked “TDLR&Co”, a maroon K2, a black K1 with an italic nib, a pair of 6235s, with no.5 two colour nibs, a Magna pencil and a Magna, with its No.7 nib.

 

The picture with most of them capped shows the K2 with the hood off to show the nib. Despite being 70 years old the “window” hasn’t “ambered” at all.

 

They are all a pleasure to write with and they are all practical everyday pens.
 

Nice!

[lamarax]

I hope 'new' Onoto (of Norwich) comes up with an 'add-on' clip for their Heritage model, like the one on the 3000 in your photo.

[Methersgate]

7 minutes ago, lamarax said:

I hope 'new' Onoto (of Norwich) comes up with an 'add-on' clip for their Heritage model, like the one on the 3000 in your photo.

 

I stand to be corrected but I think that the fountain pen pocket clip, like the wrist watch and the trench coat, is a product of the First World War.

[lamarax]

4 minutes ago, Methersgate said:

I stand to be corrected but I think that the fountain pen pocket clip, like the wrist watch and the trench coat, is a product of the First World War.

 

Certainly, but the problem is that beyond muddy trenches, a clip/roll stop is crucial for a clumsy guy like me  

[Methersgate]

1 minute ago, lamarax said:

 

Certainly, but the problem is that beyond muddy trenches, a clip/roll stop is crucial for a clumsy guy like me  

And me!

 

The other problem with the older 3000s is that the slip cap slips off! This one is actually a “bitser” - the cap was swapped with a top feed one that I parted with, because this cap actually grips this barrel!  I assume new Onoto make theirs with a screw cap!

[lamarax]

23 minutes ago, Methersgate said:

And me!

 

The other problem with the older 3000s is that the slip cap slips off! This one is actually a “bitser” - the cap was swapped with a top feed one that I parted with, because this cap actually grips this barrel!  I assume new Onoto make theirs with a screw cap!

 

The wrist watch was invented devised by strapping a pocket watch to a leather band, because one can't easily operate a bolt action rifle and check the time simultaneously  

It goes without saying, that the need to stop a fragile pen from rolling off your desk is as important today as it was back then not wanting to dig into mud (and possibly corpses) to find your pen.

 

Indeed, they've screw caps  

[ParramattaPaul]

2 hours ago, lamarax said:

I hope 'new' Onoto (of Norwich) comes up with an 'add-on' clip for their Heritage model, like the one on the 3000 in your photo.

Have you written to them suggesting it to them?

[ParramattaPaul]

1 hour ago, lamarax said:

The wrist watch was invented devised by strapping a pocket watch to a leather band,

The leather pocket watch wrist straps were the precursor to the WWII version that had a dial cover as well to protect the crystal.  These were very popular in Australia even into recent times.  See here:  

[lamarax]

19 hours ago, ParramattaPaul said:

Have you written to them suggesting it to them?

 

I didn't! 🫢

 

19 hours ago, ParramattaPaul said:

The leather pocket watch wrist straps were the precursor to the WWII version that had a dial cover as well to protect the crystal.  These were very popular in Australia even into recent times.  See here:

 

 

Those shrapnel guards look more... fashionable   Because when you're fighting for your life, you have to do it in style!

[ParramattaPaul]

3 hours ago, lamarax said:

 

I didn't! 🫢

 

 

 

Those shrapnel guards look more... fashionable   Because when you're fighting for your life, you have to do it in style!

May I remind you of the infantryman's motto for such moments (when somebody trying to kill you)?  

 

'RUN AND HIDE!  RUN AND HIDE!'

 

We could do that, while the 'tread heads' (tank crewmen) were making a bunch of noise and attracting every man and dog's attention.

 

 

 

 

Trivia no one asked for:  Infantry is the 'Queen of Battle' because like the queen on a chess board is the most maneuverable arm while Artillery is the 'King of battle - the least maneuverable arm.

[Methersgate]

The plunger fill Onoto was of course made for writing letters, taking notes,  and it’s brilliant for that because of the excellence of its nib!
 

If you just want to sign your name on a document ( or even a cheque!) then you have to turn the pen on and wait for the ink to flow…

[Tashi_Tsering]

I recently got a Baby ONOTO safety pen. I did not find such a pen in the ONOTO catalogues that I have. Could you help me date it?

 

It's only 9.2 cm long.

 

The barrel says: “Baby ONOTO” and “Thos de La Rue”

 

The nib says: “De La Rue”, “London”, “ONOTO”, “18CT”. 

[Beechwood]

A delightful example of this later 1920s pen, very envious.

[boilermaker1975]

@Tashi_Tsering I like it! and envious like @Beechwood

[ParramattaPaul]

2 hours ago, Tashi_Tsering said:

I recently got a Baby ONOTO safety pen. I did not find such a pen in the ONOTO catalogues that I have. Could you help me date it?

 

Appendix I of the Onoto book lists only one 'baby' model.  It states that it was made circa 1928 and 'probably only for the European market'.