Mabie Todd Swan L3 Leverless Fountain Pen 1934. 14C F Flex Nib. Very RARE
Item History & Price
Mabie Todd Swan L3 Leverless Fountain Pen 1934. 14C F Flex Nib. Very RARE. Just Serviced with new Ink Sac. Pen has zero, cracks, splits or repairs etc. Fabulous example....
A more detailed description and FULL set of Photographs including writing sample will be added before auction ends on Sunday the 4th.
On 31-Jul-19 at 16:12:33 BST, seller added the following information:Some more information about this Swan L3....
Made in London, England 1933-34. These size 3 Leverless pe...ns are RARE. Indeed ANY size 3 Nib pen by ANY maker is rare by the 1930s. By then most nibs are size, 1, 2, 4 and 6. By end of 1920s early 30s by most pen makers dropped size 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Certainly most leverless pens are size 2, 4 or 6. Why they made a size 3 pen at this time I am unsure. It also has a unique breather/well hole design similar to keyhole instead of standard Heart shape. Very few Swan nibs have this RARE feature. I think only size 3 nibs from 1933 to 35. Strange they did not use elsewhere but I believe it is a more technical shape to saw out so they quickly dropped it. Anyone that collects Swan pens will know they often struggle to get the simple Heart shape clean let alone these keyhole circle and diamond shape. So this design is VERY rare to find.
The size of this L3 is the EXACT same as the L4 of same era. Length and width. However the Feed, Front section hole and Nibs do not fit each other. The L4 nib and feed are larger so the hole in the front section to take them is bigger. A size 3 nib and feed will simply slip slide in and out. Likewise a size 4 nib and feed is to large to fit inside the L3 front section as its hole is smaller to fit size 3...etc etc… you get the idea... But to save on manufacture they use the same caps and barrels for both pens.
The Clip and Ring Bands on this pen are also unique to 1933-35 ONLY. Very handsome design indeed. Rare to have the Caps ring band at the very top above the Clip. No ring band on the cap opening end. Rare. 100% factory original all parts. The Clip is hidden attachment within the screw down swan logo BHR top. Rounded front clip not crease in middle. Transitional Clip ONLY used 1933-34.
The pen itself is made of wonderful Jet Black High Gloss Celluloid. Piano Black. Still has the fabulous Gloss and Sheen of a new pen. Celluloid is the greatest material to make pens from. Nothing holds colour better. Even Black is just the best black possible. The only reason manufacturers stopped making pens from Celluloid was because in liquid form Celluloid is ultra flammable and so most countries banned the use in any City or built up area manufacture from 1960. Which is such a shame as this stuff is king among materials for pens. By 1932 Swan England had truly mastered Celluloid and these 1932-36 Leverless swan pens are as good as if not better than Montblanc 1950s celluloid.
This pen has a simple elegance that is timeless. Also quite unique looking. Very handsome and minimalist. Of course the real Jewel in crown with this rare pen has to be that amazing size 3 14C FULL Flex nib. Oh my!! Nibs rarely get this creative. Ultra Flex. This chap can flex with the very best of them. Connoisseur grade. It can flex from Fine to way past double Broad. You simply can not buy a nib today by ANY maker that will even remotely compete with this thoroughbred MASTERPIECE. A nib so creative its only limitation is the imagination and writing ability of its user. Grade A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Flex nib.
Comes ready to write just add your favorite colour bottled ink... Perfect as a gift or treat yourself to a wonderful collectible fountain pen that can be used and enjoyed daily... Please view all the Photographs they form large part of the description. All photographs are of actual pen. What you see is everything you receive. Any boxes or papers will ALWAYS be photographed if included. If you have any questions please feel free to email. 100% money back authenticity guaranteed throughout. Bid with confidence.Shipping costs etc, UK, £5. Worldwide add: Insured Registered Express delivery: Worldwide $15.00, Europe £10.00. Combined shipping is available with zero extra shipping cost in most cases. Email for quote. Fed Ex is also available.. Preferred payment: Paypal, Bank wire transfer, Bank draft & UK(only) personal cheque. Buyer pays any costs etc. PLEASE VIEW MY OTHER ITEMS MORE PENS, Montblanc, Onoto, Conway Stewart, Parker, Waterman, Mabie Todd Swan, Sheaffer, Dunhill etc..
On 03-Aug-19 at 22:17:37 BST, seller added the following information:Some More information about how to fill LEVERLESS Swan Pens....These wonderful pens are Twist Fill and have Ink Sacs inside. When you turn the Blind Cap (Tail End) it deflates the ink sac inside using a metal bar attached to the inside of the Blind Cap. Very Clever system. Then once you close the Blind Cap the Ink Sac reflates sucking in ink. To fill using bottled ink could not be any easier. Simply turn the knurled Blind Cap one and a half full turns until it will not turn anymore. Now place the whole of nib in bottled ink and turn the Blind Cap closed. Wait 5 seconds to fill. Now take nib out of the bottle of ink and wipe any excess with paper towel. Done. Takes less than 10 seconds and is Child Play EASY. Wonderful filling system. I have just serviced ALL these leveless pens and they ALL work exactly as they left the factory when new. Superb pens....
A more detailed description and FULL set of Photographs including writing sample will be added before auction ends on Sunday the 4th.
On 31-Jul-19 at 16:12:33 BST, seller added the following information:Some more information about this Swan L3....
Made in London, England 1933-34. These size 3 Leverless pe...ns are RARE. Indeed ANY size 3 Nib pen by ANY maker is rare by the 1930s. By then most nibs are size, 1, 2, 4 and 6. By end of 1920s early 30s by most pen makers dropped size 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Certainly most leverless pens are size 2, 4 or 6. Why they made a size 3 pen at this time I am unsure. It also has a unique breather/well hole design similar to keyhole instead of standard Heart shape. Very few Swan nibs have this RARE feature. I think only size 3 nibs from 1933 to 35. Strange they did not use elsewhere but I believe it is a more technical shape to saw out so they quickly dropped it. Anyone that collects Swan pens will know they often struggle to get the simple Heart shape clean let alone these keyhole circle and diamond shape. So this design is VERY rare to find.
The size of this L3 is the EXACT same as the L4 of same era. Length and width. However the Feed, Front section hole and Nibs do not fit each other. The L4 nib and feed are larger so the hole in the front section to take them is bigger. A size 3 nib and feed will simply slip slide in and out. Likewise a size 4 nib and feed is to large to fit inside the L3 front section as its hole is smaller to fit size 3...etc etc… you get the idea... But to save on manufacture they use the same caps and barrels for both pens.
The Clip and Ring Bands on this pen are also unique to 1933-35 ONLY. Very handsome design indeed. Rare to have the Caps ring band at the very top above the Clip. No ring band on the cap opening end. Rare. 100% factory original all parts. The Clip is hidden attachment within the screw down swan logo BHR top. Rounded front clip not crease in middle. Transitional Clip ONLY used 1933-34.
The pen itself is made of wonderful Jet Black High Gloss Celluloid. Piano Black. Still has the fabulous Gloss and Sheen of a new pen. Celluloid is the greatest material to make pens from. Nothing holds colour better. Even Black is just the best black possible. The only reason manufacturers stopped making pens from Celluloid was because in liquid form Celluloid is ultra flammable and so most countries banned the use in any City or built up area manufacture from 1960. Which is such a shame as this stuff is king among materials for pens. By 1932 Swan England had truly mastered Celluloid and these 1932-36 Leverless swan pens are as good as if not better than Montblanc 1950s celluloid.
This pen has a simple elegance that is timeless. Also quite unique looking. Very handsome and minimalist. Of course the real Jewel in crown with this rare pen has to be that amazing size 3 14C FULL Flex nib. Oh my!! Nibs rarely get this creative. Ultra Flex. This chap can flex with the very best of them. Connoisseur grade. It can flex from Fine to way past double Broad. You simply can not buy a nib today by ANY maker that will even remotely compete with this thoroughbred MASTERPIECE. A nib so creative its only limitation is the imagination and writing ability of its user. Grade A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Flex nib.
Comes ready to write just add your favorite colour bottled ink... Perfect as a gift or treat yourself to a wonderful collectible fountain pen that can be used and enjoyed daily... Please view all the Photographs they form large part of the description. All photographs are of actual pen. What you see is everything you receive. Any boxes or papers will ALWAYS be photographed if included. If you have any questions please feel free to email. 100% money back authenticity guaranteed throughout. Bid with confidence.Shipping costs etc, UK, £5. Worldwide add: Insured Registered Express delivery: Worldwide $15.00, Europe £10.00. Combined shipping is available with zero extra shipping cost in most cases. Email for quote. Fed Ex is also available.. Preferred payment: Paypal, Bank wire transfer, Bank draft & UK(only) personal cheque. Buyer pays any costs etc. PLEASE VIEW MY OTHER ITEMS MORE PENS, Montblanc, Onoto, Conway Stewart, Parker, Waterman, Mabie Todd Swan, Sheaffer, Dunhill etc..
On 03-Aug-19 at 22:17:37 BST, seller added the following information:Some More information about how to fill LEVERLESS Swan Pens....These wonderful pens are Twist Fill and have Ink Sacs inside. When you turn the Blind Cap (Tail End) it deflates the ink sac inside using a metal bar attached to the inside of the Blind Cap. Very Clever system. Then once you close the Blind Cap the Ink Sac reflates sucking in ink. To fill using bottled ink could not be any easier. Simply turn the knurled Blind Cap one and a half full turns until it will not turn anymore. Now place the whole of nib in bottled ink and turn the Blind Cap closed. Wait 5 seconds to fill. Now take nib out of the bottle of ink and wipe any excess with paper towel. Done. Takes less than 10 seconds and is Child Play EASY. Wonderful filling system. I have just serviced ALL these leveless pens and they ALL work exactly as they left the factory when new. Superb pens....
