Rare 1950s STANDARD AWB GOLD 13/1 Germany with Wet High Performance Super Flexible OM Oblique Medium 14K Nib Piston Fountain Pen Item ID: VAR-060

Standard AWB 

Manufacturer/Model: STANDARD AWB Germany/ 13/1 Gold
Year of production: Early 1950s
Filling system: Piston filling
Nib: Highest grade 14K 585 Solid gold, OM Oblique Medium, Performance Flex nib Wet, (Spencerian like), writes up to triple BBB broad and wider
Material: Black high shine resin
Length (pen closed): 134mm; Posted at 148mm

Condition and information:
This is one of the long lost German pen manufacturers, the Standard AWB. The company existed for only few years, and unfortunately not many pens are left today so its barely known brand. They made few models we know of, including the Tertia, Edel and others. The pen here was made in the late 50s, and follows the well established mainstream form factor at the time, similar to Pelikan 120/140, Senator and Montblanc pens. It is nearly identical in size and from factor as the famous Senator Melbi pen.

The best feature of this unique pen is the nib. It is what today is called a performance flex nib, Spencerian like, where unlike other fully flexible nibs, which can be used with a gentle push, compared to those, this nib simply feels as a paint brush, the tines of the nib split apart as soon as it touches the paper with no pressure what so ever. This nib is not recommended for users who haven't used flexible nibs before, as if pressed just bit over its flexing point, the nib will bend permanently. The tines come apart as far as 2-3mm. The feed features a large ink canal to feed such a wet nib, made out of ebonite as well as the collar. The pen will write any line from Extra Fine EF to triple broad and even wider depending on the speed and ink. Even though the pen is rated oblique medium, it will write EF and OF when gliding over the paper and depending on the angle it's being held. The pen also features a perfect high gloss highest grade black plastic resin body and cap. Another nice feature is the completely transparent large and elongated ink window which will change color to the color of the ink. The piston is very smooth with a two ring rubber cork, smooth and easy to operate.The pen has perfect length and thickness, very good grip and feel in the hand. Extremely well built pen with truly rare performance 14K nib, rarely found today.