Product Description
Type Capless fountain pen -- the nib retracts like a ballpoint.
Product Name Vanishing Point, model CL-300.
Manufacturer and Year Namiki (Pilot), Japan -- 1965 (this has a date code on the body of EL 17, which means that it was made on Dec 17, 1965 in Pilot's Hiratsuka factory). This secondary dating system is documented on this page.
Length 5-9/16"
Filling System Old Pilot "Double Spare" cartridges ONLY. This is a short cartridge with an opening/nipple that is not the same as any modern cartridge (it's smaller than what Pilot currently uses). See note below for more information on these older Pilot cartridges and converters. We are including a single empty short Pilot cartridge that fits this pen, as well as the tube that holds the cartridges. The cartridge can be refilled via syringe.
Color Black with gold plated trim.
Nib FINE 14k nib.
Condition Very Nice condition. The black surface has moderate scratching and handwear. The barrel is personalized with the name "T. Yano". The clip has significant plating wear. The metal cone has plating wear and bubbling. The knock has heavy scratching and some plating wear. The mechanism is a little stiff, but is working well. The imprints are clear.
NOTE on filling options for this pen: As the name implies, the "Double Spares" cartridges came as a pair with a central piece connecting them. They're no longer made and are hard to find. The opening, or "nipple", of the cartridge is smaller than the cartridges and converters that Pilot currently produces. We understand that Pilot used to make a CON-W converter that should also work with this pen, if you can find one. There's also a nice long dissertation and discussion on FPN about the nearly unobtanium nature of the CON-W converters.
