Blackbird, late 30s???

March 8

I bought this Blackbird at the London Pen Show, March 2025. Writes beautifully with significant flex, I'm happy.

I'm guessing it's probably late 30s? But I can't find anything closely similar online.

Barrel and section slightly oxidised BCHR: cap black black, which maybe means cap from a different pen, or maybe the pen was made with hard rubber body and celluloid cap? [It fits well, and chasing pattern is identical or very similar to body.]

Nib marked "BLACKBIRD / 14 Ct / MT&CoLtd / MADE IN / ENGLAND". Barrel engraved "BLACKBIRD SELF-FILLING PEN / MABIE TODD & CO. LTD. / MADE IN ENGLAND". Barrel end with initials T.U., which is seen on other pens online, so probably not owner initials; but meaning unknown to me. Capped length 13.5cm. Barrel diameter 11mm.

Would welcome any guidance on likely production date, on whether it's a frankencap, on the TU... but anyways, posting in case of interest to others.

March 9

Foolishly, I didn't look carefully enough at the "Mt Blackbird Guide" thread, which does show an apparently very similar pen identified as a "Thin Blackbird", capped length similarly around 13.5cm; I understand this to be a variant of BB as opposed to celluloid BB2. So I think (?) more likely early 30s, possibly late 20s. Also, stepped clip and plain feed (not laddered) I think support this earlier estimate. [Though again, noting that cap might not be the original one.]

Disclaimer: definitely not an expert here.

I guess that part of the issue is that they weren't producing perfectly defined product lines to please collectors 100 years later, they were just getting orders out of the factory, using the tooling and stock components they had available that month! [And that then compounded by the possibility of later franken-restoration.] Fascinating!

March 15

I think that this is a classic example of doing nothing with a pen apart from using the pen and enjoying that nib. It might be a bitsa but nothing wrong with that.

I think I have seen the pen before, about 15 years ago and owned by a pen restorer at that time, one of the very few pens that made me say WOW on the first downstroke.

March 15

Thank you @Beechwood

It cost me £35, so not expecting tip-top condition, and I really don't mind if it's a cap from another pen... just intrigued to find out as much as I can about its likely history

You remember this particular pen from 15 years ago? Blimey, that's impressive! I have challenges with 15 minutes ago. If you remember the name of that collector, could you maybe PM it to me?

It certainly writes very nicely, I like this pen very much

Thanks again!

March 15

I think that the pen is just fine as it is personally, not sure that everything needs to be returned to as new condition.

The reason that I remember a pen so clearly is that it was a Blackbird and in a very similar condition to your own. He passed me the pen with the comment 'what do you think of this'.

I was impressed immediately, huge flex from F to at least BB with perfect flow.

I know that this person was at the London Show in March but I doubt that you will hear from him through FPN and I am not in touch with him.

I am not an MT person but I wouldn't argue with your guess of late 30s to late 40s.