Nib grade
Vintage pens with extra fine nibs
The finest standard grade, for small handwriting, narrow ruling and cheap paper that feathers under a wetter line. Japanese makers like Pilot grade their nibs finer than European and American makers do, so a Pilot fine can write close to a Western extra fine. A fine point shows every flaw. A bent tine or a misaligned tip that a broad nib would hide will scratch and catch, so ask for a close photo of the tip and a writing sample before you buy one.
22 pens we cover.
Parker · 1941–1948
VacumaticParker 51 Vacumatic
Vacumatic filler, 1941 to 1948
Pre-war and wartime
$100–$210 typical ask
35 on eBay
Parker · 1948–1969
AerometricParker 51 Aerometric
Aero-metric filler, 1948 to 1969
Post-war golden age
$130–$270 typical ask
31 on eBay
Parker · 1964–1994
Cartridge and converterParker 75 Ciselé
Sterling silver crosshatch, 1964 to 1994
Post-war golden age
$140–$210 typical ask
37 on eBay
Parker · 1964–2007
Cartridge and converterParker 45 Flighter
Brushed stainless steel, from 1964
Post-war golden age
$55–$90 typical ask
30 on eBay
Parker · 1948–1960
AerometricParker 51 Demi Aerometric
Shorter 51, 1948 to 1960
Post-war golden age
$100–$190 typical ask
10 on eBay
Montblanc · 1952–present
PistonMontblanc Meisterstück 149
Precious resin, 1980s
Modern
$525–$775 typical ask
29 on eBay
Montblanc · c. 1950–early 1960s
PistonMontblanc Meisterstück 146
Celluloid, 1950s
Post-war golden age
$1,275–$1,625 typical ask
5 on eBay
Montblanc · c. 1968–1978
PistonMontblanc 221
Piston-filling 22x series, 1970s
Modern
$130–$230 typical ask
25 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1952–1959
Snorkel and TouchdownSheaffer Snorkel Statesman
Palladium silver Triumph point, plastic cap
Post-war golden age
$75–$170 typical ask
10 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1952–1959
Snorkel and TouchdownSheaffer Snorkel Crest
Gold-filled cap, 14K two-tone Triumph point
Post-war golden age
$180–$250 typical ask
4 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1959–1968
Snorkel and TouchdownSheaffer PFM III
Plastic cap, gold-filled band, 14K inlaid nib
Post-war golden age
$260–$320 typical ask
6 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1929–1942
Button and lever fillerSheaffer Lifetime Balance
Striated Marine Green, lever filler, 1937
Pre-war and wartime
$110–$190 typical ask
36 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1976–1998
Cartridge and converterSheaffer Targa 1003
Matte black, gold-plated trim, Classic size
Modern
$110–$200 typical ask
11 on eBay
Sheaffer · 1949
Snorkel and TouchdownSheaffer Touchdown Tuckaway
1949 only, Touchdown filler
Post-war golden age
$85–$210 typical ask
15 on eBay
Pilot · 1992–present
Cartridge and converterPilot Custom 74
14K size 5 nib, cartridge or converter
Modern
$140–$210 typical ask
26 on eBay
Pilot · 1963–present
Cartridge and converterPilot Capless (Vanishing Point)
Click-action Capless, from 1964
Post-war golden age
$150–$230 typical ask
35 on eBay
Pelikan · 1982–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M400
Green striped, old-style trim, 1982 to 1997
Modern
$290–$380 typical ask
27 on eBay
Pelikan · 1987–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M800
Black, old-style trim, before 1997
Modern
$500–$750 typical ask
17 on eBay
Pelikan · 1985–present
PistonPelikan M200
Steel nib, old-style trim, 1985 to 1997
Modern
$140–$250 typical ask
27 on eBay
Pelikan · 1956–1965
PistonPelikan 400NN
Third version of the 400, 1956 to 1965
Post-war golden age
$260–$340 typical ask
24 on eBay
Pelikan · 1985–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M600
Old-style, M400-sized, 1985 to 1997
Modern
$350–$525 typical ask
16 on eBay
Pelikan · 1997–present
PistonPelikan Souverän M1000
Black, two-chick logo, 1997 to 2003
Modern
$900–$1,200 typical ask
26 on eBay