The Esterbrook Transitional pen is so called because it was introduced in 1944 to replace the Visumaster and led to the J series pens in 1948. This is an early version of the pen, identifiable by the ribbed cap stud, it was soon replaced with a plain stud.
Unlike the J series, this pen is 'single jewelled' with a squared off barrel end, and does not have the Esterbrook name imprinted on the clip. The differences are shown in the photographs, with this pen at the bottom.
The pen has been restored and is in excellent working condition. It has a first class surface with a deep shine and a clear barrel imprint, identifying it as a U.S.A. made Esterbrook.
The nib is the older design 2048, a 'stand alone nib, unlike the J series screw in 'Re-New' version. It is slightly right oblique and has a decent amount of flex, giving good line variation. As an eighty year old steel nib, it is not the smoothest writer but god results are to be had with a little experimentation.
The transitional Esterbrook is not a common pen by any means and is quite collectable, this particular version with the ribbed cap was probably made for about only one year.