Product Description
Type Vintage fountain pen with unique filling system, highly collectible
Product Name L56S is written on the end of the barrel, along with 13732. Lox Top Pneumatic Filler .... here's an interesting discussion on Fountain Pen Board. It could be 156S, actually, because "15" was used to signify the burgundy color, with "6" being for the standard size, though we suspect this was a smaller version.
Manufacturer and Year Chilton, Long Island City, New York -- 1930s
Length 4-1/2"
Filling System Pneumatic filler. Pull out the tube at the end of the barrel, submerge the nib in ink, cover the breather hole on the end of the barrel, and depress the tube. We replaced the bladder and fully tested the pen, and it's working well.
Color Burgundy marble with gold trim.
Nib FLEXIBLE FINE. 14k with good flex, but not full flex. Excellent tipped material.
Condition Beautiful condition, with no cracks or chips or personalization. The gold filled trim has only a small amount of brassing in the form or a few dots on either side of the ball of the clip, and a few small splotches on the cap band. Very crisp and deep imprint on the barrel and filler knob. There's some wear on the metal of the filler tube.
Important note: The "Lox Top" mechanism isn't working as the little red celluloid piece that fits under the clip has come loose or broken off. It was originally designed to work in conjunction with the notched (red) section, so that when you put the pen in your pocket the red piece under the clip was pushed in and "locked" the section to keep it from turning. We have the piece (see photo below) and we think it is complete, but we don't have a lot of experience with Chiltons and so we can't be sure. One thing we do know is these "Lox Top" pens frequently are missing the mechanism entirely, or have un-notched section, so this one at least has the potential to be "correct and complete." (The reference above to a discussion on Fountain Pen Board shows the original patent diagrams.)
