The immediate post war Mabie Todd Swan pens were either 'torpedo' or 'cigar' shaped, replacing the earlier 'flat top' design. This Swan 3120 pen is distinctly cigar shaped.
The 3120 appeared around 1948 and production ceased in 1952. This variant, with the metal threads on the section, was probably made around 1950.
The Swan numbering system at the time was refreshingly clear: '3' is a lever filler, '1' is the nib size, and '20' is the colour code for blue. This is a lever filling Swan pen in blue with a number 1 nib. The colour is quite dark, in some lights it appears almost black.
The pen has been restored and tested with a new ink sac fitted as the original had hardened with age. The ink sac I removed was the original Mabie Todd sac, showing that this was the first restoration and the pen had not been used for a few decades. It is now in excellent working condition with a good surface and crisp barrel imprints. The rolled gold clip has also held up very well.
The nib is 14Ct Gold, the original. It writes with a firm, fine line, ideally suited to someone with small handwriting or for more detailed work.
The Swan pens were amongst the world leaders with respect to quality and writing ability. This 3120 is a fine example, quite collectable but also ready to serve as an attractive and unusual daily writer.