Rare 1963 PILOT NAMIKI Capless Vanishing Point CL Aluminum & Resin Fountain Pen Item ID: VAR-054

PILOT NAMIKI Capless CL Aluminum 

Manufacturer/Model: Pilot Capless Namiki/Japan/CL Aluminum
Year of production: Early 1960s (62-64)
Filling system: Cartridges or converter
Nib: Steel gold plated; EF Extra Fine
Material: Light aluminum body, black resin front section and push button
Length (pen closed): Oversize at 142mm

Condition and information:
This is the all time classic and probably the best engineered pen in the world, the CL line where CL stands for "CapLess" launched in early 1960s by Pilot. This is a rare sub-model of the CL300, made only briefly and the difference with the CL300 is that here the entire upper body is the push button, unlike the CL300 where there is clear distinction between the push button and the body. It is hard to believe that such pen was conceived in the late 50's and launched in the early 60's. The pen looks as a high-tech writing instrument of today, with looks and feel of the 21st century. It is sad that today capless Vanishing Point pens look bulky, fat, with undetermined form factor, they are simply a huge huge step back from this original design. This pen has a modern shape, streamlined, space era inspired, classic with the clip seamlessly integrated with the front section and following the body line, a great design with perfect from factor. This Pilot capless pen features a unique patent, which has a mechanism similar to a ballpoint pen, however instead of a refill the push action deploys are real nib. When the pen is deactivated by pressing the top push knob, the nib retracts in to the barrel, where a special mechanism cap-door inside the pen's tip covers the nib and seals off the barrel, thus prevents the ink from drying but also leaking, dust entering the pen, and of course prevents damage to the nib tip. This mechanism is a great engineering achievement, very convenient, perfectly functional, smooth and precise. This is fountain pen's geeks the ultimate dream, a fast deploying, trouble free, simple yet beautiful fountain pen, that surprises anyone by its unique function and design. The pen is in mint condition, minimal signs of use, no dings, no cracks, no gold ware off. It can take cartridges, but also a Pilot bladder converter. The pen is made out of very nice light aluminum and black resin plastic, perfectly shiny and durable, The pen has a great grip, unique feel and balance, at 142mm length its longer then many posted fountain pens. This makes it feel right in the hand with wonderful writing experience. The nib is steel but with a good gold plate, very smooth, sharp and precise EF Extra Fine writing, it can be used for any precision writing, pocket notebook writing, great for smaller typeface letters, no excessive ink flow and no mess. A truly wonderful and unique writing instrument.