The Mabie Todd Swan SF1, produced in the 1920s, is a high quality early English lever filler.
The pen is constructed in black hard rubber with three Gold filled bands, two on the barrel and one at the top of the cap. There is also a mottled rubber insert in the top of the cap which forms a band and bears the Swan logo, 'SWAN' is clearly imprinted on the side of the cap.
The feed is clearly stamped : 'Swan SF1'.
The hard rubber shows a slight brown patina and has an excellent surface and a legible barrel imprint. The lever shows some mottling but the Gold filling is genersally good. The three Gold band version, this pen, is not a common variant.
The Swan box has scuffs along the edges but is generally sound and in clean condition, as is the instruction sheet. The address on the back shows that the pen belonged to 'The Bursar's Clerk', at a Grammar School.
The pen has been fully restored and tested. The filling system, with new ink sac, works well and the 14Ct. Gold Swan Eternal nib writes with a smooth and consistent, firm, fine line. The nib does not show flexibility but this makes it more robust and an 'easier' writer. It would particularly suit someone with a small 'hand' or for more detailed work, the pen would certainly meet the needs of the original owner.
The Swan SF1, at around a century old, is a fine example of early English pen making at its best and is very collectable. It would also make an excellent vintage evry day writer.