Can you identify this pen ?.

[kavanagh]

Dear Colleagues,

 

I have been offered the following fountain pen which looks like a century, but the model is unusual - it’s not the medalist model as I have not seen the gold cap at the bottom. Is this an old version from the USA (looking at the nib ) or a more modern Cross pen ?. Also what is the nib performance like?.
Thanks.

[ZeroDukE]

Hello!  This is the first version of the Cross Classic Century (quite a confusing name from Cross, by the way).  So, this is not the Cross Century Classic.  The Cross Classic Century is thin as a pencil, and the cap can be posted (screw to post).  The first version does not accept converters from Cross and uses the small cartridge only.  A very good writer.

[langere]

Cross pens write very well, so I suspect this one will as well.  But obviously it is impossible to tell from photos.

 

Erick

[kavanagh]

9 hours ago, zeroduke said:

Hello!  This is the first version of the Cross Classic Century (quite a confusing name from Cross, by the way).  So, this is not the Cross Century Classic.  The Cross Classic Century is thin as a pencil, and the cap can be posted (screw to post).  The first version does not accept converters from Cross and uses the small cartridge only.  A very good writer.

Thanks zeroduke.
Is this the one that’s produced in the USA ? ( and not Ireland / China ).

As long I get the original ink cartridges with this pen, I can re-inject any ink and use those ?. If I don’t get the original ink cartridges, then it’s probably not worth buying.

 

9 hours ago, langere said:

Cross pens write very well, so I suspect this one will as well.  But obviously it is impossible to tell from photos.

 

Erick

 

Thank you Erick.

[ZeroDukE]

Hi Kavanagh.  The cartridges for this fountain pen are still in production.  I said it wrong:  the correct cartridge is the longer because its diameter is smaller and can get into the barrel.  Of course you can reload the cartridge with the ink of your preference.  I am attaching a photo of them for you to see as well as one of my fountain pen posted.  The one you use with this pen is the one on the left. It is not shown where the fountain pen was made but quality is excellent.

 

 

[ZeroDukE]

Just to have an idea of the diameter of this fountain pen...

 

 

[ZeroDukE]

Here you have the blister with the cartriges. Code for blue ink (8929-2), black ink (8929-1)

 

 

[kavanagh]

19 hours ago, zeroduke said:

Hi Kavanagh.  The cartridges for this fountain pen are still in production.  I said it wrong:  the correct cartridge is the longer because its diameter is smaller and can get into the barrel.  Of course you can reload the cartridge with the ink of your preference.  I am attaching a photo of them for you to see as well as one of my fountain pen posted.  The one you use with this pen is the one on the left. It is not shown where the fountain pen was made but quality is excellent.

 

 

Dear Zeroduke, no problem. Thank you for providing very helpful information.

I’m not sure if such a thin diameter on a pen will suit my grip- also because of the steel grip section - can I ask if you have ever used it for long / copious note taking ? ( does the section become slippery and do fingers become tired )

 

He does have one original ink cartridge - but the slenderness of the pen is putting me off. You are right, the build quality is superb - it’s probably worth buying for that alone.

Also, is it a wet writer ( even with dry inks such as Pelikan 4001 ) ?.

[ZeroDukE]

4 hours ago, kavanagh said:

Dear Zeroduke, no problem. Thank you for providing very helpful information.

I’m not sure if such a thin diameter on a pen will suit my grip- also because of the steel grip section - can I ask if you have ever used it for long / copious note taking ? ( does the section become slippery and do fingers become tired )

 

He does have one original ink cartridge - but the slenderness of the pen is putting me off. You are right, the build quality is superb - it’s probably worth buying for that alone.

Also, is it a wet writer ( even with dry inks such as Pelikan 4001 ) ?.

 

Hello Kavanagh,

 

I agree, I am not a thin diameter pens fan either.   I do prefer something like the Pelikan M800.   But I like to have a different fountain pen too, and this is one of them.

I have never used it for a long run, but proved to be very useful for short notes and it is really portable indeed.   I have never had problems with any metal section fountain pen so my opinion could not be useful to you,  could it?

 

Yes, it is wet but not too much.  I am a user of 4001 ink in different colours, and there is no problem with that one.  Cross pens are usually very reliable in that area.

 

[kavanagh]

On 5/20/2021 at 3:32 PM, zeroduke said:

 

Hello Kavanagh,

 

I agree, I am not a thin diameter pens fan either.   I do prefer something like the Pelikan M800.   But I like to have a different fountain pen too, and this is one of them.

I have never used it for a long run, but proved to be very useful for short notes and it is really portable indeed.   I have never had problems with any metal section fountain pen so my opinion could not be useful to you,  could it?

 

Yes, it is wet but not too much.  I am a user of 4001 ink in different colours, and there is no problem with that one.  Cross pens are usually very reliable in that area.

 

 
I actually bought a Pelikan M800 around the year 1990 for £100 pounds sterling - it was quite big, so I sold it (which I now regret ).

Even some of the economical China made Cross pens such as the ATX, Calais are excellent writers. Thank you for your information - it is appreciated.