Pilot Capless - 1964 - C-300SW and variations

Introduction:

Pilot was quick to react to the limited success of the expensive C-600MW, and released a cheaper Capless less than one year after the previous model. The price was initially halved, and soon afterwards it was further reduced to JPY 2000. It is questionable whether these pens were different models or not. Their nib units are perfectly compatible.

C-300SW.

C-300GW.

C-200SW.

Features:

Codes.	C-300SW, C-300GW, C-200SW. The first one, from March 1964, has a silver trim and the push button is totally metallic. The C-300GW golden trimmed, and keeps the all metal push button. Finally, the C-200SW –from August 1964— is silver trimmed, and the push button is made of plastic with a metallic crown. In year 1969 there was another version of the C-300GW with nib units with B points.
Original_price.	JPY 3000 (C-300SW and C-300GW) and JPY 2000 (C-200SW).
Production_years.	1964-1971 (?)
Nib_unit.	Type II. Gold 14 K. There are three variations on this type.
Filling_system	Double spare cartridge, 2 units. CON-W can be used.
Opening_system.	"Knock system" (push button). The button has two positions. The first one, the first knock, releases the nib. The second retracts it. If, when closed, pushed the button deep inside, the nib will return to the closed position.

C-200SW.

Dimensions:

	C-300SW / C-300GW	C-200SW
Length closed	142.5 mm	143 mm
Length open	137 mm	137 mm
Diameter	12 mm	12 mm
Weight	19.0 g	18.4 g

Nib unit:

Type II. In 14 K gold. There are three variations, labeled as IIa, IIb and IIc, with the same dimensions and perfectly interchangeable. These labels do not reflect possible changes in the color of the feeds--either black or transparent. IIa unit is usually associated to models C-300SW and C-300GW, and model C-200SW can be seen with both IIb and IIc types. However, it is very likely that there existed exceptions to this rule.

Type IIa, usually associated to model C-300SW and C-300GW.

Type IIb, seen on model C-200SW.

Type IIc, usually associated to model C-200SW.

The differences among the three types of nib units are on the nibs. From top to bottom, types IIc, IIb, and IIa.

Additional data.

These models were made in a very wide number of colors. In fact, Pilot is not aware of how many color variations were released.

Nibs and bodies are engraved with the production place and date.

Assorted C-200SW and C-300GW models.

Back to the "Pilot Capless - 50 years" page.

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, January 2014
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless

Pilot Capless - 1963 - C-600MW

Introduction:

The first Capless model by Pilot was released on November of 1963. Some associate it model to the incoming celebration of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. It was a luxurious and expensive pen, JPY 6000 was a decent monthly income in Tokyo at the time, and had a limited success.

C-600MW.

Features:

Codes.	C-600MW (basic model). Other variations encoded as C-1000DW and C-1000GW.
Original_price.	JPY 6000 (C-600MW); JPY 10000 (C-1000DW and C-1000GW).
Production_years.	1963-1965 (?)
Nib_unit.	Type I. Gold 14 K.
Filling_system	"Double spare" cartridge. 2 units.CON-W converter can be used.
Opening_system.	"Belt system". The barrel rotates with respect to the gripping section, thus releasing the nib. However, the whole releasing mechanism is inside the section of the pen. The mechanism actually pulls the nib in and out of the pen.

Dimensions:

For the basic model C-600MW.

Length closed	140 mm
Length open	146 mm
Diameter	13 mm
Weight	20.5 g

Nib unit:

Type I. In 14 K gold.

The type I nib unit. 2 double spare cartridges are attached to it.

Additional information:

There were, at least, two other versions—a gold­ plated one (C­-1000GW, JPY 10000, 1963), and a clipless unit with maki-e (seirei­nuri) decoration (C-­1000DW, JPY 10000, 1964). This was a limited released of 20 units.

The gold plated model C-1000GW.

The maki-e decorated C-1000DW model.

This pen carries two plastic dots on the section, perpendicular to the movement of the nib. On the first units, their were yellow. Later in 1964, it changed to white.

As is the case of most Pilot pens of the time, both the nib unit and the body are dated.


Back to the "Pilot Capless - 50 years" page.

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, January 2013
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless

A Project

Shortly, but without any fixed periodicity, I will be publishing a series of files to document all the Pilot Capless models released along its 50 years of history. Most, if not all, of these data have already been published on these Chronicles, but often in a fragmentary way, scattered among several entries.

The final destination of these files will be a separated website a fellow stylophile and I are now preparing.

Pilot Capless (1998 model), steel nib in M – Pilot Petit Black cartridge

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, January 24th, 2014
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless, metabitácora

Context and Research

On these Chronicles I have extensively spoken about the Capless family of pens by Pilot. So much, in fact, that I ended up creating its own label to access all those texts easily. Some might say that this follows from a deep appreciation of these pens, but the actual reason is a lot more mundane—it is easy to speak about them because it is easy to provide a context for them as a whole, and for each of the models. And that makes a huge difference with respect to many other pens.

This picture alone provides most of the context we need to analyze any Capless model.

That is, in fact, a major advantage of the big three pen companies on this blog. Their history is relatively well known and available. What can we say, in contrast, about pen brands as Opal, North Star, Ramie, Tokyo, Asahi Tsubasa…? And this problem feeds back—known brands become better known while minor companies fall into oblivion.

Is there a way to revert the situation? The point is not about forgetting all we know about Pilot, Platinum and Sailor, but about how to increase our knowledge on all those minor brands that played some role, even if small, in the history of these tools. And there is only one way—research.

Then we encounter a discouraging situation. First is how reduced this world of fountain pens is. And most of the money in it is associated to new pens, on which some obvious companies have a clear interest. Their investment, needless to say, favors their own products.

Then we have the community of stylophiles—that is, collectors who are seldom satisfied with one single pen and who buy a number of pens just for the sake of owning them (even if under the excuse of thinking of themselves as users). But this community, even if very active and noisy, is small and divided. And little research they do other than satisfying their own curiosity. Some even publish their findings.

A third actor in this scenario are vintage pen traders. They might be very interested in adding value, that of the actual knowledge, on those unknown pens they need to sell. And in fact some traders do that and even publish their knowledge. But not much investment is done on this activity.

Two books with the same title: Fountain Pens of the World. By Nakazono and by Lambrou.

And now and then, some visionary entrepreneur thinks that publishing a book on pens might be a good idea. And they even publish it… Whether they make any money is yet to be seen.

And that is all we have. Those initiatives, mostly personal, might be fragmentary, and might be of good or of bad quality; but that is all we have. And the conclusion is that it is up to us, stylophiles, to improve this situation.

Sailor pocket pen, 18 K gold nib – Daiso red cartridge

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, October 2013
etiquetas: metabitácora, mercado, estilofilia, Capless

RW Capless (1965)

Year 1965 saw several new models of the Pilot Capless. After the expensive model of 1963 (C-600MW, JPY 6000, and variations), Pilot made cheaper versions in 1964 for JPY 3000 (C-300GW) and JPY 2000 (C-200SW), and the price went even lower in 1965 with models C-100RW and CS-100RW. These were sold for JPY 1000 and have been the cheapest Pilot Capless pens ever marketed.

Under the apparent simplicity of these pens, this model showed a number of variations, not always visible, that affect the fine identification of the unit. There were, in fact, three nominal models. Pilot released two of them –C-100RW and CS-100RW, both sold for JPY 1000— in March, and the third one –CS-200RW, JPY 2000— in October of that same year of 1965. The basic difference between them was the material of the nib—the early models implemented steel nibs whereas the CS-200RW used 14 K gold nibs. On top of that, the more luxurious model had a gold plated clip and a decorated body, in contrast with the plain aluminum cylinder of the cheaper models. Steel and gold nibs coexisted at least during 1966, and all these pens were made in a number of colors.

A number of RW Capless together with some later models (on the lower row).

And there are more variations. Early units of these pens had the nib-releasing mechanism made of plastic. Later in the 1965, it was changed to metal. This detail is difficult to check as it is deep inside the pen body. The obvious exception to this is the very rare transparent version.

The very rare demonstrator version is, most likely, the more luxurious CS-200RW. Its nib is made of 14 K gold.

Three examples of the luxury version CS-200RW. Note the golden clip on all of them.

Model C-100RW was the longer version of the CS-100RW, which is a lot more common. The difference between them is limited to the length of the push button. The aluminum body is exactly the same.

Long (C-100RW) and short (CS-100RW) of the Capless model released on March 1965.

The W of the catalog code means that these pens used the double standard cartridge. On the short model only such cartridges can be used and only one of them. The replacement converter CON-W should not be used—the pressure of the button on the plastic opening of the converter ends up cracking this plastic piece. Therefore, the actual alternative to the use of the long gone double-spare cartridge is the use of Sailor cartridges (thanks, commentator Kostas K).

The replacement converter CON-W for the double-spare cartridge. The blue plastic piece on the right ends up cracking when used in the short Capless CS-100RW and CS-200RW pens.

The nib units in all these pens are basically the same, but we can find some minor variations. Older nib units have an extra metallic sheath in the area of the guiding notch. The rear button then pushes against this ring. On more modern units, the button pushes just against the notch. This difference does not create any problem of incompatibility between them.

On this picture, inside the blue box, we can see the basic difference between the two types of nib units present on these RW Capless. On top, the older type, with an extra sheath of metal on the area of the guiding notch. On the nib at the bottom that additional metallic part has disappeared. It corresponds to the later version of the nib unit.

Another issue of these pens is the length and structure of the feed. It is indeed long and, more critical, it cannot be removed from the frame holding the nib-feed-cart unit together. Consequently, cleaning the feed can be difficult and, in case of clogging problems, the replacement of the whole structure might be the only solution. The nib alone can easily be detached from the feed by sliding it out. This potential problem, therefore, poses some risk when purchasing this pen model without a proper test to check the actual flow of ink from the cartridge to the nib.

The nib can easily be removed from the feed by sliding it out. The feed, however, cannot be detached from the steel cylinder that holds the nib unit together.

These models were exported to the US around 1966. There exist instruction sheets for it written in Spanish. The most likely hypothesis to it is that these pens were re-exported from the US to neighboring Spanish-speaking countries. Exports to Spain started much later, in the 1970s.

Instruction sheet in Spanish for the RW Capless. Courtesy of Nikos Syrigonakis.

Later in 1965, in November, Pilot released another Capless model—the twist-operated C-500MW.

My thanks to my many pen friends: Mr. Kostas K, Mr. Syrigonakis, Mr. Niikura, Mr. Shiomi, Mr. Sunami. And probably some more whose name I just cannot remember now.

Pilot Capless C-100RW, green – Platinum Black

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, October 2nd, 2013
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless

Tokyo Olympics

The XVIII Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 are usually associated, pen wise, to the release of the first Capless model (C-600MW) by Pilot. In fact, there are some ads associating the pen to the sport event. However, I know of no Capless pen with any obvious reference to the Games, but there are some other pens that did celebrate the event.

The Tokyo Olympics poster made by Pilot to announce the first Capless.

The first Pilot Capless, C-600MW, from 1963.

On the picture we can see an E model, predecessor of the first Elite pens and evolution of the earler Super line of pens from the 1950s. In fact, many E Pilot still carried the inscription “PILOT / SUPER 200” on their barrels. But the looks of these pens departed clearly from the old Super models by using of straighter lines –both on the pen ends and on the clip— on the overall design. Two different filling systems were implemented on these pens—the hose system (often known as quarter switch) and ink cartridges, albeit with the caveat of two different types of these. Both the double spare type, long gone, and the single spare cartridge still on production were available on the E model.

This Pilot E does not show the E indication, though. Instead, it sports a sign saying “TOKYO 1964” together with the Japanese flag in between. The filling mechanism is the hose system, and the nail-shaped nib is made of 14 K gold with a manifold point.

These are the dimensions of the pen:
Length closed: 141 mm
Length open: 121 mm
Length posted: 144 mm
Diameter: 12 mm
Weight: 14.5 g (dry)
Ink deposit: 1.0 ml

This particular unit was made at the Hiratsuka plant on September of 1964. The Tokyo Olympics were celebrated between the 10th and the 24th of October.

Pilot Prera – Platinum Black

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, September 10th, 2013
etiquetas: Pilot, Tokyo

The Capless (1924)

About forty years before the first Pilot Capless had been released (1963), a small company by the name of Capless Kogyosho released an original pen with the name of “The Capless”. The owner, Shôsuke Hatano, had filed the corresponding patent on the previous year, and started the advertisement campaign claiming it was “The World’s Novel Invention”. The actual marketing of The Capless started in 1924. This was the first time ever in which that name was used.

This pen came in a variety of finishes. The one on display today is silver overlaid over an ebonite core. This was a beautiful and luxurious looking pen. However, in a pen like this, the most interesting aspect of it is lies in the internal mechanics. To release the nib, the user must first open manually a small window to allow the nib in and out of the body. Only then, the nib could be slide off by means of a lateral lever attached to the nib unit.

The pen is clearly labeled with the brand "The Capless". On the picture, the window for the nib, now closed.

The Capless with the nib released. This is a replacement nib.

But the pen also shows some sort of cap, albeit very smoothly coupled to the body. Opening it we have access to nib and feed, and to a guiding bar. Seen like this the pen strongly resembles a regular capped pen and, in fact, preserves the basic structure of such—cap, section and barrel. Only that guiding bar revealed some unusual features.

The Capless, paradoxically, uncapped.

Regarding the filling system, there were few options and the time, by the mid 1920s, and using an eyedropper was the easiest option. So, to ink this pen, the now visible section had to be unscrewed from the barrel, as shown on the picture.

The pen with the section detached from the barrel, ready to be filled with ink.

The pen shown in this Chronicles has a replacement nib. These “The Capless” are very rare pens and we couldd not be very demanding on their condition. Mr. Masamichi Sunami and Mr. Andreas Lambrou reported on this pen in their book Fountain Pens of Japan (ISBN: 978-0-9571723-0-2). Interestingly enough, it is covered in the chapter on Pilot pens.

My thanks to Mr. Sugimoto.

Pilot E-300 (1969) – Wagner 2008 ink

Bruno Taut
Yokohama and Machida, July 2013
etiquetas: soluciones técnicas, Pilot, Capless, Capless Kogyosho

Capless 1973

Capless pens are a regular topic on these Chronicles, and it only makes sense as they are one of the very few iconic pens made in Japan. But the Pilot Capless is not just a pen, but a family of them that followed a natural evolution over its fifty years of existence.

Today’s pen is the Capless model released in 1973. It is one of the lesser known variations, and one of the hardest to find in the second hand market.

The Capless originally released in 1973 with catalog reference CN-400 BS. In 1981, its price increased and the reference changed to CN-500 BS.

This model is nested, in time, between the well-known model made of plastic and stainless steel, with either black or non-colored stripes (C-400BS and C-400SS, 1971); and the faceted model made of plastic (FCN-500, 1984), well distributed world wide, and favored by many who disliked the current model (released initially in 1989). The 1973 Capless initially carried the catalog reference CN-400 BS, thus showing that its price was JPY 4000. Later, in 1981, the price increased to JPY 5000, and the reference number changed accordingly: CN-500 BS.

The black-striped model from 1971.

The faceted model from 1984 (FCN-500R).

The 1973 model is made of plastic and aluminium, both with a matte finish. The clip is made out of the same piece of the nose, on which the hole for the nib is placed. This feature is shared with the following (faceted) model of 1984. But the 1973 model, let me insist, has a perfectly rounded body.

Close-up of the nib of the 1973 Capless. On the background, the clip shows its smooth design, perfectly integrated with the nose of the pen.

The nib unit shows some interesting features. In principle, the set --ink deposit, steel frame, feed and nib-- of the CN-400 BS is unique to this model. Compared to the model of 1971, the overall nib-unit design is different, especially on the metal frame. Additionally, the gold nib (14 K) is directly connected to the frame, thus providing a higher resistance--as could be seen on the second picture of this text, the 1971 nib unit had the actual nib attached to the frame by means of the plastic feed.

But if compared to the following model (FCN-500R, 1984), the differences in the nib units are minor, and are mostly related to the position of the guiding notch. The different way of attaching the nib to the frame does not affect the basic geometry of the unit. So, despite them, it is possible to use the old unit in the newer models and vice versa—the newer nib units could also be used in the 1973 model.

On top, the nib unit of the current model of Capless (FC-15R). It is the same, save changes in the nib material, as the nib units of the 1984 model (FC-500R). On bottom, the nib unit of the 1973 model (CN-400BS). The differences between them are limited to the position of the guiding notch, lower on the earlier model, and to the attachment of the nib to the steel frame. The later does not affect the general geometry of the unit. Both are interchangeable in their "empty boxes".

In all cases, regular cartridges and converters CON-20 and CON-50 can be used.

These are the dimensions of the CN-400 BS from 1973:
Length closed: 137 mm
Length open (nib out): 134 mm
Diameter: 12 mm
Weight (dry): 18.3 g

Pilot Capless FC-15SR (1989 model), stub nib by Shimizu Seisakusho – Waterman Mysterious Blue (Blue-Black)

Bruno Taut
Yokohama, June 12-15th 2013
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless

50 Years

On this year of 2013, the Pilot Capless, the most popular fountain pen made by Pilot, will become 50 years old. Or at least, the concept of such pen as understood by Pilot, for the Capless has not been just one model but a family of them, as we have already seen on these Chronicles. In any event, the first Capless (or Vanishing Point) was initially marketed by the end of 1963.

That first pen was an expensive luxury. It cost JPY 6000, which was the monthly income of many workers in Japan at the time. And what did Pilot give in return? Today’s pictures show the whole rather elaborated package of the first Pilot Capless.

First, a cardboard box.

And inside, the pen box, quite sturdy, and two packages of 12 double-spare cartridges.

When displayed at the Pen Trading event of the Pen Collectors of Japan this past weekend, many showed their admiration, and I wonder that admiration was just the product of these fifty years of history. It is true that modern Capless come is less fancy boxes (in Japan, at least), as it is also true that the modern version of it is a lot more affordable and less luxurious that they were in 1963.

Twelve double-spare cartridges fit in each box.

The short clip on the lower side of the section/body of the pen. The white dot on the side of the pen shows this was the second variation. The first model had it colored in gold. This particular unit was manufactured in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, in December of 1963.

The overengineered nib. Note the use of gold (14 K) to attach the nib to the steel cylinder.

Anyway, this was the way the pen was released in 1963, fifty years ago, thus starting the saga of Pilot/Namiki Capless/Vanishing Point (all combinations allowed). And knowing the mechanisms of marketing, it is safe to say that Pilot will celebrate this anniversary appropriately; that is, with a special, in some way, Capless pen. But nobody knows anything. No information has leaked out of Pilot’s offices and we can only speculate—or be patient.

On my side, I hope the 50th anniversary pen was not just another fancy colored Capless, and I look forward to seeing something more daring, more radical.

My thanks to Mr. Shiomi.

Pilot Super 100s in red – Pilot Blue-black

Bruno Taut
April 21st-22nd, 2013
etiquetas: Pilot, Capless, evento, mercado