The Stephens 106, introduced in the 1930s, is a stereotypical vintage English lever filling fountain pen. Although it is not certain, the common concensus seems to be that the pen was made, for Stephens, by Langs of Liverpool. A comparison of this pen with a Summit 125, made by Langs, supports this theory.
The pen is constructed in black chased hard rubber, and is unusual in that there is no trace of the brown oxidation layer that is so common in rubber pens of this period, it must have been stored in the dark for much of its life. The chased pattern on the pen has survived reasonably well and the barrel imprint is crisp and clear.
The cap is a smooth screw fit, tightening with a little over one and a half turns. The original plating on the clip is no longer in evidence but the clip, a ball ended design typical of the period, has a good surface. The lever shows some pitting.
The 14 Ct. Gold warranted nib was used with the earlier pens, it wasn't until later that the nibs carried the Stephens name. The nib is straight and well aligned, it writes wit a medium line, perhaps a little on the broad side, and has a pleasing 'soft' feel with excellent ink flow.
The cap posts securely on the barrel giving the pen an impressive 15.7 cm. length when in use. It has a very solid, well balance feel.
The '106' refers to the price of the pen when new, 10 shillings ans sixpence. This was the same price, or more, than a very similar Conway Stewart model at the time. Although the Stephens name is not as well known, it is of the same high quality as the contemporary Conway Stewart. It would make a first class vintage daily writer.