Verification, writing sample, and album:https://imgur.com/a/riL4ze9.

 

For sale: Pilot Elite, cartridge/converter, with 18k gold fine nib <F> and stainless steel “crosshatched” body.

 

All of the “Big Three” Japanese pen companies, Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum, as well as many smaller companies went wild for pocket pens in the 1960s. For a wonderful and extensive article about them, see this post by Richard Binder: http://www.richardspens.com/ref/profiles/pocket_pens.htm

 

The Pilot Elite is a precursor to the modern-day Pilot E95S, featuring a “long-short” design where the long cap posts onto a short body, yielding a full-size pen. Though they can take a Pilot CON-20 or CON-40 converter, they are for the most part used as (refillable) cartridge pens. While not completely equivalent to the Pilot E95S, a vintage Pilot Elite is a similar and interesting alternative which provides a gold nib at an affordable price point.

 

There are many versions of the Pilot Elite, but the stainless steel crosshatch version of the Pilot Elite is a striking example that is dear to many. On one model, the crosshatching is limited to “just” the cap (though the cap is the largest piece of the pen by design), and the other model has the full crosshatching on both cap and body. The stainless steel is quite durable, and the crosshatching “absorbs” small scratches and imperfections that come with time, so these pens are often still (IMO) stunning after many years.

 

And indeed the main body and cap on this particular specimen look quite good. The clip and the body ring have more significant wear, and the black resin body has some non-serious, but noticeable discoloration (you can just see it in the pictures). The nib has light scratching and code H678, dating the nib to June of 1978. All this earns the pen a C-/D+ grade in my book, and I have attempted to price the pen accordingly.

 

As is usual with these pens, the writing experience is very good. Steady, even flow and a consistent fine line, with a touch of softness and just enough feedback so you can hear it on the page.

 

The pen will ship with a Pilot ink cartridge.

 

Asking for $110.00 shipped to CONUS. Shipping outside the US is possible, but buyer pays for it. All sub rules apply. Please comment publicly first.