The Stephens 106, introduced in the 1930s, is a stereotypical vintage English lever filling fountain pen. Although it is not certain, the common concensus seems to be that the pen was made, for Stephens, by Langs of Liverpool. A comparison of this pen with a Summit 125, made by Langs, supports this theory.
The pen, constructed in black chased hard rubber, with a slight suggestion of the characteristic brown patina, it has a good surface and the barrel imprint is clearly legible.
The cap is a smooth screw fit, tightening with a little over one and a half turns. The original gold plating on the clipand llever have held up reasonably well.
The 14 Ct. Gold warranted nib was used with the earlier pens, it wasn't until later that the nibs carried the Stephens name. It writes with a medium line, perhaps a little on the broad side, and has a pleasing 'soft' feel.
The cap posts securely on the barrel giving the pen an impressive 15.7 cm. length when in use. It has a very solid, well balance feel.
The '106' refers to the price of the pen when new, 10 shillings and sixpence. This was the same price, or more, than a very similar Conway Stewart model at the time. Although the Stephens name is not as well known, it is of the same high quality as the contemporary Conway Stewart. It would make a first class vintage daily writer.