Bayard No 120 Safety, Black Ebonite, 18ct Flex Nib

HM1225038
A fantastic entry-level safety pen from one of France's great pen houses. Bayard was founded when Étienne Forbin, a Parisian bookseller, trademarked the name in 1912 after years distributing American writing instruments. By 1922 his grandchildren, the Panici Frères, took over production and established Bayard as a genuine rival to the American Big Four. The No 120 is a full-size safety with beautiful chasing and craftsmanship that punches well above this price point.
The ebonite shows honest wear — deep scratches on the cap, grade C — but the hallmark imprints are tactile and fully visible, and the chasing remains crisp where it hasn't been worn. This is a pen that's been used and enjoyed, priced accordingly. Full safety mechanism rebuilt with fresh gaskets. Ebonite rejuvenated and lightly hand-polished.
The 18ct Bayard nib is the surprise here — soft, smooth, and great for fast writing. Not a calligraphy showpiece, but a nib that rewards speed and a light touch. 2.5x line variation at 360g gives you expressive writing without fighting the pen.
Tested on Rhodia 90gsm with Diamine Imperial Purple.