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Czechoslovakian pens


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#1 vintage penman

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Posted 05 March 2018 - 11:38 PM

Anyone here much of an expert on Czech and other Eastern European and USSR pens?

 

I seem to have acquired quite a few assorted Barclay, Centropen and Soyuz models of late largely by virtue of them commanding usefully less money than the equivalent American or Western European pen. What has become evident is that most of these pens are robustly built, decently finished and write nicely when fitted with a Ripet or other 14ct / 583 nib.

It is equally evident that there's very little written history of any of these obscure in the West brands beyond what can be gleaned from Centropen's own site. 

 

I'll add photos when normal service has been resumed by my internet provider - our connection is via a somewhat unreliable 4g mast.

 

 



#2 FrankBarnard

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Posted 06 March 2018 - 04:16 PM

I'm no expert but I agree. I've been buying Barclays and Centropens for a few years now. The designs are beautiful and unique. The engineering is good too.

 

Barclay 1304 next to Mont Blanc 149 and Wing Sung 601 (Parker 51 Replica)
 
Barclay 1304 with Ripet gold nib & exposed accordion filler
 
 Note: The Barclay is the sterling silver pen in these images. The Mont Blanc 149 and Armando Simoni Club Bologna Extra pens in the photos for reference are HUGE oversized pens but I included them because the Barclay is of similar quality. The Wing Sung 601 in the photos is a copy of a Parker 51 and basically the same size as a Parker 51.

Edited by FrankBarnard, 06 March 2018 - 05:24 PM.


#3 vintage penman

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Posted 06 March 2018 - 10:47 PM

I also have a silver Barclay 1302 which is a very well made pen. I have a normal Barclay 1302 in bhr as a potential donor for the silver pen should I need a new securing collar for the vacumatic type filler. Probably the oldest pen I have from Czechoslovakia is a late 20's Barclay bhr button filler of pretty substantial size (say Waterman 56 but shorter). I do use my Centropen 10012 and 10014 with Ripet nibs quite often. I have only ever managed to capture one L&C Hardtmuth fountain pen, again likely to be a 1950's Centropen product judging by the overall shape, bhr barrel and smooth aluminium cap. Not entirely sure if it has its original nib an feed though.

One thing in common to all of them is impeccable quality and sound engineering, even the later 70's & *0's Centropens manage to be pretty convincing.

 

Surprise find was the larger Soyuz apenig the MB 14/24 and 32/34 models with wonderfully soft Soyuz branded 14ct nibs. Again, these are well engineered, solidly made pens equal to anything the West can produce. Equally, my one and only Hungarian made Favorit pen is surprisingly well made and substantial.

 

Long may they remain a niche collectable.



#4 FrankBarnard

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Posted 06 March 2018 - 11:56 PM

Do you know the years for Centropen 10012 and 10014? (or, for that matter, Barclay 1302 & 1304?) Like you, I have a few--some with Ribendium and some with Ripet 14K nibs. I have little idea when the pens were made.

 

Please upload photos of the 1920's Barclay and other pens. I am not familiar with L&C Hardtmuth, Favorit or Soyuz.



#5 FrankBarnard

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 12:16 AM

Regarding price--I love that they are available so cheap right now. On the other hand I think it is a shame they are so underappreciated. More for you and me I guess!



#6 vintage penman

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 12:41 PM

I'll have another bash at uploading images, however my internet connection isn't all that amenable at the moment.



#7 vintage penman

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Posted 07 March 2018 - 10:40 PM

I have put some rather poor photos of the Barclay Council and the L&C Hardtmuth  in a gallery entitled Czech pens. I have absolutely no idea how to add these to the post.






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