The Onoto Magna was the 'flagship' Onoto model and the 1876, this pen, featuring a wide solid 9ct. Gold cap ring, was the top of the range.
The Magna was launched in 1937 as a semi transparent 'ink view' barelled pen and was replaced with the opaque barrel version after the cessation of hostilities in 1946. The Gold band on this pen carries a hallmark for 9ct. and a date code for 1953. The Magna 1876 did not appear in the 1954 Onoto pen advertisements. The 1951 adverts show the pen at well over twice the price of the next most expensive Onoto at the time.
The pen is a plunger filler, the filling system has been overhauled including fitting a new piston rod, piston head, and all seals and gaskets, it is in first class working condition, taking up virtually a barrel full of ink with one press of the plunger.
Constructed in a black chased celluloid, developed by De La Rue at great expense specifically for this pen, it is in outstanding condition throughout. The chasing is still crisp, as is the barrel imprint which reads:
Onoto Magna
De La Rue & Co. Ltd. London.
The model number, 1876, is imprinted on the hard rubber plunger button, the cap stud is also hard rubber.
The huge 14 Ct gold No. 7 Onoto nib is 'platinised', the end section is platinum coated to give a two tone effect. It writes with a firm, fine line and carries the imprint:
De La Rue
Onoto
14Ct.
London
7
The pen is presented in a new high quality case that will serve well for transportation, protection, and display.
At 17.8 cm. ( 7 inches) in length when posted this is a very large pen with a huge amount of presence. Extremely difficult to find, it is highly collectable and is considered a 'grail pen' by many Onoto enthusiasts.