Please note: this pen is now reserved.
The National Security pen has a particularly mysterious history, outlined below, after the description of the pen.
Made in hard rubber, vulcanite, the pen has an engine turned chevron pattern which is as clear and sharp now as it was when it left the factory. It shows no trace of the 'browning' so often associated with hard rubber pens and the imprint is similarly crisp. It says, simply:
National Security
Lever Pen
The pen has a capped length of 14.5 cm. but, when the cap is posted by screwing it onto the end of the barrel its 'i use' length is an enormous 18 cm. The pen was clearly designed to be used in the posted configuration as the end of the barrel is threaded to swiftly and securely attach the cap with one full turn.
The pen was in no need of restoration as such, but the ink sac has been replaced as the old one had hardened with age. It fills well, taking up a good amount of ink, and the 14Ct. Gold warranted nib writes with a fine line and has a small, but effective amount of flex.
The condition of this pen is so outstanding that I should reiterate that it is definitely hard rubber and not the celluloid that was used by some manufacturers, much later, giving a similar appearance. Of as high quality as many other better known brands, it is a rare pen with a fascinating history, outlined below courtesy of Stephen Hull's excellent 'The English Fountain Pen History 1875-1975' book. (italics)
The September 1922 edition of 'The British Stationer' included the following short editorial item:
'Who makes this pen-we are particularly anxious to discover the makers of the 'National Security fountain pen. Any reader who stocks this line should communicate at once with the General Secretary'
At the time, retail price fixing was imposed on fountain pens and, it appears, that the makers of these pens was thought to be gaining a pecuniary advantage by not adhering to the rules. Ten years later 'British Carbon Papers were attempting to divest themselves of a number of these pens at knock down prices before 'coming clean' as a manufacturer of pens and resurrecting the 'National Security' brand name for a new range of pens.