Original & Authentic Vintage 1940s Ebonite Urushi Ink Sac Lever Filler Mechanism Fountain Pen [Fitted with Warranted 14K Gold  Iridium Point Fine Size Nib]

Specifications

Brand -	Model Vintage Ebonite
Era / Period 1930s - 1940s	Body Material Ebonite\Urushi
Filling System Ink Sac Lever Filling Mechanism	Nib Material Warranted 14K Gold Iridium Point Nib
Nib Size Fine	Colour Black
Country of Origin Japan	Includes Pen + Box
Weight 12 g	Length 129 mm

History of Pilot

Founded in 1918 by Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada, Pilot has become one of the most influential and respected names in the fountain pen industry. Over more than a century, the company has built a reputation for combining Japanese craftsmanship, technical innovation, and exceptional writing performance, producing pens that are trusted by writers, professionals, and collectors around the world.

From its early beginnings as the Namiki Manufacturing Company in Tokyo, Pilot focused on creating high-quality fountain pens capable of competing with established Western brands. The company's dedication to precision engineering and continuous improvement quickly established it as one of Japan's leading pen manufacturers. Throughout the decades, Pilot introduced numerous advancements in nib design, filling systems, and manufacturing techniques, helping shape the modern fountain pen industry.

Pilot is also renowned for preserving traditional Japanese artistry through the creation of urushi lacquer and maki-e writing instruments under the Namiki name. These handcrafted masterpieces showcase techniques passed down through generations and remain among the most celebrated luxury pens in the world.

Over the years, Pilot has produced many iconic models that have become milestones in fountain pen history. The Pilot Super series helped establish the brand's post-war reputation, while the Elite series introduced innovative pocket pen designs that remain popular today. The Custom line, including the Custom 74, Custom 742, Custom 743, Custom 823, and Custom 845, has become synonymous with exceptional writing performance and nib variety. Pilot also revolutionized the industry with the Vanishing Point, the world's first commercially successful retractable fountain pen, a design that continues to be admired for its ingenuity and practicality.

Vintage Ebonite Urushi Fountain pens

This vintage fountain pen combines ebonite (hard rubber) construction with a traditional Urushi lacquer finish, a combination that has been used in Japanese fountain pens for many decades. Ebonite was widely used for early fountain pen barrels because it is lightweight, durable, and easy to shape, while Urushi provided a protective and decorative surface.

The ebonite body gives the pen a different character from modern resin pens, with a lightweight feel and the warmth associated with traditional hard-rubber construction. The Urushi coating also adds depth to the surface, with the appearance often becoming more distinctive as the lacquer develops naturally with age and use.

Japanese Urushi work can involve applying multiple thin layers of lacquer, with each layer carefully cured before the next is applied. Depending on the individual pen, the finish may be a simple single-color lacquer or incorporate additional decorative techniques. Because this is a vintage piece, variations in color, surface texture, and small signs of age can be part of its original character.

The combination of vintage ebonite and Urushi makes this type of fountain pen particularly interesting as an example of traditional Japanese pen construction. The final writing experience will depend on the individual nib and filling system, which can vary considerably between vintage examples.

Warranted 14K Gold Iridium Point Nib

The pen is fitted with a 14K gold nib marked “Warranted” and “Iridium Point.” The “Warranted” designation was commonly used on vintage fountain pen nibs and does not identify a specific manufacturer. Instead, it indicates that the nib met the stated gold-content standard, in this case 14K gold.

The “Iridium Point” marking refers to the tipping material applied to the end of the nib. Iridium and related hard-wearing tipping materials were used at the writing point because they could withstand repeated contact with paper and help extend the service life of the nib.

This particular nib has a firm writing character, providing a controlled and consistent line with little flex under normal writing pressure. It is better suited to users who prefer a stable everyday writer rather than the softer or more flexible feel found on some vintage nibs.

The combination of a 14K gold construction, vintage “Warranted” marking, and Iridium Point tipping is characteristic of many older fountain pen nibs. As with other vintage nibs, the exact writing feel can vary depending on the nib's condition and any adjustments made over its lifetime.

Nib Size    F     Material   14K Gold

Condition

C

In Okay Condition! The pen have been taken cared of, there are small micro scratches and a change on the clip color consistent with used pens from the 1940s. Unfortunately the lever is a bit loose it is functional but held upside down the lever slides down a bit.  The Ink Sac inside have been replaced and tested, the pen works fine and are ready for its new owner to use!