Do you recognize this pen?

[Scrawler]

This pen was in a box of pen related materials that was given to me by a friend some years ago before he passed away. It is extremely light weight being just 19grams empty of ink. I think this may have been a special or custom order because it is unlike any Edison pens I have seen in their catalogues. I am trying to find out what I can about it. It is so distinctive that I feel sure that it is recognizable to anyone who has seen it before. It is highly likely that someone has seen it because the person who gave it to me was a frequent contributor to pen forums at one time.

edison3.jpg

ednib.jpg

[Ron Z]

Why don't you send a picture to Brian and ask him?

[Scrawler]

Why don't you send a picture to Brian and ask him?

I have written to Edison asking if I can send them a picture, though I don't have much hopes they would remember an order from so long ago.

[Jon Szanto]

I hope they will check. It is certainly a unique looking pen. I don't think I've seen a shape like that from Brian but it may have been an early pen; there is also the possibility that he is not the maker but that one of his nibs was transplanted to the pen.

[Lloyd]

How big is it?

Typos courtesy of Samsung Auto-Incorrect™

[Scrawler]

How big is it?

Typos courtesy of Samsung Auto-Incorrect™

I don't have a convenient ruler but here it is next to a Montblanc 146 for comparison.

edmbcomp.jpg

[karmachanic]

What Jon said. An #6 Edison nib does not necessarily mean it's an Edison pen.

[Scrawler]

What Jon said. An #6 Edison nib does not necessarily mean it's an Edison pen.

This is why I am inquiring. I have contacted them because of the nib. This pen is very unusual in that the barrel and cap are made of different materials. Someone made this, probably a custom job. If it was not made by Brian Grey then I would like to find out who did, and for whom.

[TSherbs]

The look of the engraving of "Edison" is very interesting. I can't decide if it is shaky or if it is stylized that way. Anyway, it will be interesting to hear back.

[Scrawler]

The look of the engraving of "Edison" is very interesting. I can't decide if it is shaky or if it is stylized that way. Anyway, it will be interesting to hear back.

Engraved by hand to my eye.

[Dougc]

I just sent a bulb filler to Brian for repair and he remembered it from 2008.

Give him a try.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

[RobJohnson]

Turning the question around, is there a reason why someone would wanted a shaped barrel, for example to hold the pen nib and cap upright. Pens were used some years ago in rotary dial telephones, something similar perhaps on earlier cell phones?

[Scrawler]

I just sent a bulb filler to Brian for repair and he remembered it from 2008.

Give him a try.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

As I said, I have contacted him but received no reply as yet. In the mean time I am sure that someone has seen this pen before. The previous owner had an envious collection and was active on fountain pen forums for a long time.

[Scrawler]

Turning the question around, is there a reason why someone would wanted a shaped barrel, for example to hold the pen nib and cap upright. Pens were used some years ago in rotary dial telephones, something similar perhaps on earlier cell phones?

The nib on paper feel of this is very similar to the MN 146. But the dimensions of this pen fit better in my hand. The swell of the barrel fits into the curve of my index finger and it is more comfortable to write with than the MB.

[fqgouvea]

The shape is similar to a PenBBS 323, but I haven’t seen one like that. Fitting an Edison nib onto a Chinese pen makes sense.

[RobJohnson]

The shape is similar to a PenBBS 323, but I haven’t seen one like that. Fitting an Edison nib onto a Chinese pen makes sense.

That is a good call, there is a swirly 323 also.

The capped length of the 323 is 5.47 inches.

[Scrawler]

The shape is similar to a PenBBS 323, but I haven’t seen one like that. Fitting an Edison nib onto a Chinese pen makes sense.

The shape is very similar. The shape originally reminded me of the Mont Blanc Greta Garbo. This pen dates to the 2006-2010 period I think. I have had it for at least 7 years.

[Scrawler]

The shape is similar to a PenBBS 323, but I haven’t seen one like that. Fitting an Edison nib onto a Chinese pen makes sense.

I took your suggestion and look what I found.

penbbs323.jpg

[Scrawler]

I have heard from Brian Gray. He says the pen is definitely not his work but the nib is a genuine early Edison nib from around 16 years ago. He explains the motif as his early laser etcher. The dates would match up to what I think I know about it.
This is an unfortunate dead end.

[Scrawler]

I am still hoping to find out anything I can about this pen.