Pilot · 1964–1973 · Cartridge and converter
First-generation pocket pen, 14K nib
Japanese pen makers started building pocket pens in 1963. They're four to five inches long when capped and post to a comfortable writing length. Sailor came first, and Pilot followed in 1964 with the Elite S, the S marking it as the short model next to its full-length Elite pens. A 1969 pen is a first-generation Elite S, which came with a 14K gold nib. Pilot brought out a second generation around 1973 with an 18K nib tucked into the end of the shell, so the karat stamp is a quick way to tell them apart. Many Pilot nibs from this period carry a date code, which helps you check a seller's dating. The cap grips the section on a friction clutch, with no threads to wear. It fills from Pilot cartridges, and the CON-20 squeeze converter or the CON-40 also fits. It's a great pen for a shirt pocket or a small bag.
Look hard at the plastic around the base of the nib, where some Pilot pens of this period crack. Caps that hold by friction can also lose their grip with wear.
Buying guide
For a true 1960s Elite S, buy a 14K nib, and our pick is one titled new old stock and uninked at $113 delivered. There are 28 for sale, mostly from Japan, and most ask $110–180 delivered, with plain black 14K pens at the low end from $88 and grid-capped and silver pens higher. An 18K nib means the later model from around 1973, so trust the nib stamp over a 1969 date in a title, and zoom in where the nib meets the barrel, since hairline cracks there are the common fault. Skip the 1977 sterling silver pen at $484 delivered, about three times what most ask.
$88.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered Elite S at $88, and its 14K fine nib marks a first-generation pen. The seller's feedback is 98.1%, a little under most here, so ask for a close photo of the plastic around the nib.
PILOT Elite 14K 585 Gold F Nib Fountain Pen Black Pocket Vintage Japan Rare
$112.99est. delivered
A first-generation pen with a 14K fine nib, titled new old stock and uninked, at $113 delivered. Ask for the nib's date code to confirm it's from the 1960s.
PILOT ELITE Pocket Fountain Pen 14K 585 Gold F Nib Black Short Japan NOS Uninked
$152.00delivered
Titled tested, with an 18K white gold fine nib and a silver grid cap, at $152 delivered. The 18K nib makes it the later model from around 1973, so buy it to write with rather than for a 1960s date.
Vintage Pilot Elite Silver Checks Grid Pocket Fountain Pen 18K WG F Nib Tested
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$88.00est. delivered
$75.70 + $12.30 shipping
Buy It Now$75.70
Good buy
14K fine nib, so a first-generation pen. Seller at 98.1%.
Seller: japan_vault_26
98.1% positive
New old stock$112.99est. delivered
$92.99 + $20.00 shipping
Buy It Now$92.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
14K fine nib, titled NOS and uninked.
Seller: sumiken
100% positive
Used$152.00delivered
$152.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$152.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled tested. 18K white gold fine nib, silver grid cap.
Seller: japanvintagepenvault
100% positive
Used$95.00delivered
$95.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$95.00
Our take
18K fine nib, so the later model. Ships free from Singapore.
Seller: cameraen_sg
100% positive
Used$154.99est. delivered
$129.99 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$129.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
18K nib the title calls script. Ask for a writing sample.
Seller: takayama_pen_japan2026
100% positive
Used$155.00est. delivered
$110.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$110.00
Our take
Ivory, 18K fine nib, titled 1970s. $45 of it is shipping.
Seller: engeika
99.5% positive
Used$209.00delivered
$209.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$209.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Seller feedback is 90%. Titled 22K cursive italic and tested.
Seller: tsr3374
90% positive
Used$484.00est. delivered
$399.00 + $85.00 shipping
Buy It Now$399.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Sterling silver, titled 1977. About $300 over the band.
Seller: engeika
99.5% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 5, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA pen that’s sat in a drawer for decades wants a flush before it sees ink. A bulb syringe, pen flush and a bottle of well-behaved ink cover most of it. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
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Parker · 1964–1994
Cartridge and converterSterling silver crosshatch, 1964 to 1994
Post-war golden age
$140–$210 typical ask
Parker · 1964–2007
Cartridge and converterBrushed stainless steel, from 1964
Post-war golden age
$55–$90 typical ask
Montblanc · 1980s–early 2000s
Cartridge and converterSlim cartridge pen
Modern
$270–$380 typical ask
Sheaffer · 1976–1998
Cartridge and converterMatte black, gold-plated trim, Classic size
Modern
$110–$200 typical ask
Pilot · 1992–present
Cartridge and converter14K size 5 nib, cartridge or converter
Modern
$140–$210 typical ask
Pilot · 1963–present
Cartridge and converterClick-action Capless, from 1964
Post-war golden age
$150–$230 typical ask