Stars (II)

The star system –hoshiawase— was one of the technical solutions Pilot/Namiki tried in the 1920s in its pens. By crossing the stars engraved on the section, as had been described on a previous chronicle, the ink reservoir was nominally sealed and the risk of embarrassing ink leaks was, if not eliminated, certainly reduced. Other than that peculiarity, hoshiawase pens were regular eyedroppers.

Today’s pen is one of these relics—a BHCR from late 1926.


It is a small-sized pen—about 10 cm in length when closed, and about 9 grams in weight if uninked.

The eyedropper pen, showing disassembled in its three main parts.

The nib is a 14 K gold number 1 signed by Pilot. Quite flexible.

The feed is engraved with a patent reference: 60931. Behind the threads to close the ink reservoir, the two concentric cylinders of the hoshiawase system can be seen; especially, the holes in the outer cylinder to limit the rotation of the inner one.

The barrel is engraved with both the brand name—Pilot— and the company name —Namiki Mfg. Co. The logo is the old Namiki's N encircled in a lifebuoy. And, as usual, a “made in Japan” certifies its country of origin.

The old logo, showing the name of the founder of the company.

Its overall condition is fairly good, albeit with clear sings of having been used. A pen, indeed, in search of some ink and a writing hand.

(Inoxcrom Caravel II – Waterman Havana)

Bruno Taut
(Madrid, February 14th, 2011)
[labels: soluciones técnicas, Pilot]