4 replies to this topic

[Innes Cate]

What is the physical difference between an Onoto Minor fountain pen with two narrow cap bands and a nib numbered -33- and an Onoto Minor with a single narrow cap band and a nib - numbered -22-?   i.e. shorter, longer, thinner 

 

Is there a link to a website that explains the variants/models?

 

Thanks

Innes

Edited by Innes Cate, 12 April 2015 - 09:56 PM.

[Innes Cate]

With the referral from another member I contacted Stephen Hull, UK.   With 72 views but no replies I thought it would be of interest to post Stephen's email to me which I found informative:

 

Dear Innes
 
Many thanks for your email and enquiry.
 
You're quite right that there were two distinct Minor models, announced at the same time as the beautiful Onoto Magna in August 1937:
 
- 1201 - straight cap with one band and short, stubby inner cap, with Warranted 14ct 22 TDLR & Co Ltd nib - retail 7/6
 
- 1202 - streamline cap with two bands, longer streamline inner cap, with Warranted 14ct 33 TDLR & Co Ltd nib - retail 10/6
 
Both models:
- have a teardrop RG clip, sometimes with 'sunburst' logo, instead of 7-sided TDLR logo. [I've yet to ascertain why the difference, which also applies to some other Onoto models)
- were available in black, blue, green, silver and golden brown in a 'new patented all-over ink visible window pattern'.
- have a unique plunger-filling system, different, so I'm told by my pen repair friends (and apparently easier to restore), from the standard Onotos in the construction of the plunger-filling rod and piston assemblies.
- had matching pencils (plain and band) at retail 5/-.
- were probably withdrawn early 1939
 
Also note that there was a 'wartime' Minor, announced in November 1939 - 1200, same as 1201 but with smaller nib , in chased black with no ink visiblity, retail 7/6.
 
 
Kind regards

Edited by Innes Cate, 15 April 2015 - 09:26 PM.

[AZuniga]

Innes,

 

You deserve at least one reply.... maybe including an image would have helped... In any event thanks for including here the SH answer ... we have been waiting for his book for long time and now, at least we confirm it will be published some time

Regards 

[Cob]

Yes Marshall & Oldfield states that the Minor did not have the ink shut-off system (the cone) fitted to the standard models (including the Magna and Mammoth).

 

Cob

[Innes Cate]

Innes,

 

You deserve at least one reply.... maybe including an image would have helped... In any event thanks for including here the SH answer ... we have been waiting for his book for long time and now, at least we confirm it will be published some time

Regards 

 

I have since had this pen restored by Eric Wilson, England as it needed a new piston rod and seals.   It writes with a flexible nib.   Here are a couple of photos. The piston rod turning button is slightly over size.   The lattice patterned plastic material looks quite stunning. 

 

Innes