Mark Twain Crescent Filler fountain pen in high quality handmade resin. Gunmetal trim and clip. Screw-on cap with the classic Conklin rocker-style pocket clip.
Polished nib available in a range of sizes.
Measures:141mm closed, 129mm open, 165mm long posted, barrel diameter: 13mm. Weighs 28g. The widest part of the pen, where the crescent protrudes is 20mm. Be aware that whilst this doesn't get in the way when writing with, or holding the pen, it will pose a problem if you intend to store this pen in a case: only the widest cases will accommodate it.
Supplied in a luxury Conklin gift box. All Conklin writing instruments are guaranteed for life against mechanical failure due to faulty workmanship or materials.
The original Conklin Crescent Filler was the pen that made the brand famous. Thanks to the ingenious design of Roy Conklin, the Crescent Filler was one of the first pens to have a fully self-contained filling mechanism.
The mechanism is simple: the barrel contains a rubber ink sac and a cutaway in the barrel allows you to push the crescent through the side of the pen. The crescent is attached to a metal bar that presses against the side of the ink sac, squashing any air or ink out of it; once you release, the sac returns to its original shape, drawing ink into the pen. After a few presses the pen will be completely full.
The filling mechanism certainly had its fans, as Mark Twain put it: "I prefer it to ten other fountain pens, because it carries its filler in its own stomach, and I cannot mislay even by art or intention. Also, I prefer it because it is a profanity saver; it cannot roll off the desk."
An additional improvement made to his design in 1903 was a slight change to the safety ring that prevents accidental pressing of the crescent and the undesirable expulsion of ink that would accompany it. Whereas the original ring was free to rotate, the improved ring is shaped such that it comes to a stop after about a quarter turn, and friction holds it in place sufficiently until you want to fill the pen again.
