{"product_id":"circa-1938-japan-pilot-r-type-war-era-celluloid-fountain-pen-restored","title":"CIRCA 1938 JAPAN NAMKI PILOT R-TYPE LEVER FILLER CELLULOID FOUNTAIN PEN RESTORED","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor your consideration, we are pleased to present for sale this circa 1938 Namiki Pilot R-Type Fountain Pen, crafted in striking black and brown pearlized celluloid and fitted with an original Pilot #3 Medium Steel nib. This pen has been restored, including a thorough internal ultrasonic cleaning of the feed\/section\/nib, careful exterior buffing and polishing, and the installation of a new latex sac, ensuring reliable performance while preserving its vintage character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly desirable due to its pre–World War II origin, dating to 1938–1940 timeframe. Its early production can be identified by several hallmark features: the distinctive clip design, the absence of a JIS mark on the nib, and the early “N” logo present in the barrel imprint. Pens from this transitional period are increasingly scarce, making this an appealing acquisition for serious collectors of early Japanese fountain pens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pen is fashioned from beautifully patterned black and pearlized brown celluloid, a material prized for its depth, warmth, and visual movement. The cap band and clip are finished in nickel-plated “white” trim, which remains exceptionally clean and bright, showing no visible wear. The pen measures approximately 5 1\/8 inches capped, 6 1\/2 inches posted, and weighs just .56 ounces, resulting in a light, well-balanced feel that is exceptionally comfortable in hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition is excellent for a pen of this age. The celluloid shows no cracks, chips, or repairs, and exhibits less wear than typically encountered on examples from this era. The barrel imprint is crisp and fully legible, stamped with “PILOT THE PILOT PEN MFG. CO. LTD. ‘N’ logo MADE IN JAPAN.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Namiki Pilot utilizes a lever-filling system, now fitted with a new latex sac. The mechanism functions exactly as intended, offering smooth, dependable filling much like it did when the pen originally left the factory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pen is equipped with its original #3 Pilot nib, marked “BEST IN THE WORLD PILOT MADE IN JAPAN –(3)-”. The nib measures approximately .63 mm at the tip when checked with digital calipers, placing it closer to a Fine–Medium. With light pressure, it produces a fine line around .57mm, and with moderate to firm pressure, it flexes comfortably to a double-broad stroke of approximately 1.50mm, providing expressive and pleasing line variation. The nib writes smoothly and responsively to a steel nib of this era, a testament to Pilot’s early nib craftsmanship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAltogether, this Namiki Pilot R-Type is a superb example of late-1930s Japanese fountain pen design, combining historical significance, elegant materials, and excellent writing performance. Increasingly difficult to find in this condition, it represents a meaningful and highly collectible addition to any vintage pen collection—equally rewarding to display or to enjoy as a writer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique Digger","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48993690714420,"sku":null,"price":598.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1862\/4123\/files\/1940PilotRTypeTigerEyeCelluloidFountainPen2.jpg?v=1767986454","url":"https:\/\/antiquedigger.com\/en-ca\/products\/circa-1938-japan-pilot-r-type-war-era-celluloid-fountain-pen-restored","provider":"Antique Digger","version":"1.0","type":"link"}