1970s Czechoslovakia CENTROPEN 3068 Steel F 447 Nib Piston Fountain Pen Item ID: VAR-108

CENTROPEN No.3068

Manufacturer/Model: Centropen/Czechoslovakia/3068
Year of production: Early - Mid 1970s
Filling system: Piston filling
Nib: Stainless Steel, F Fine size; Semi Flexible nib, writes up to broad - B 
Material: Black Resin Plastic - Chromed Clip & Ring
Length (pen closed): 130mm

Condition and information:
From the golden age of Centropen, this is one of their many models intended for the entrance class writing. It is amazing how many models Centropen made at those times, probably hundreds, and all of their pens as well as this one are of superb quality to match any of the top West European rivals. The pen is simple yet elegant and nice. It features a smooth piston with a oversize piston blind cap, which reveals a large piston knob. The ink window is fully transparent and clear flat-face finished. The piston fills smoothly and fills the pen entirely to the top. The piston has a nice safety features, which prevents the user for over turning on it, and once full to the top the turning knob continues to rotate while the shaft is disengaged. The nib is nice steel nib, marked 447, it is smooth producing a fine line, but it does not feel stiff, it is more on the soft side and it can produce wider lines if pressed gently while writing. Ebonite feed provides nice and constant ink flow. The pen is ahead of its time in design, it looks modern even today, it is superbly ergonomic, it feels nice in the hand, balanced length and thickness, very good grip. Extremely well build even though aimed for the mid class. The pen is in mint condition, minimal signs of use, no scratches or cracks. Amazing pen and true piece of history form the Eastern Bloc fountain pen era.

Centropen was one of the best eastern bloc pen companies. They still manufacture pens today, but their legacy is enormous. Today, vintage Centropen pens are considered some of the best in the world. One of the more famous brand names Centropen used was BARCLAY.