Penco 53(B), Gold Filled Cap & Black Celluloid, 14ct Bouncy Nib

HM2602015

The Pen-Co 53 was the top model from Fratelli Rossi Vicenza, widely publicized across Italian magazines — and a close enough imitation of Sheaffer's Triumph line to provoke legal action from Sheaffer's Italian distributor. This extremely rare 53B updated the design with a Touchdown filling mechanism using a naked sac rather than one encased in a steel casing. FRV closed on March 30, 1957, making these increasingly scarce outside Italian collections.

Touchdown filling system in mint condition — fills a great amount of ink. The build quality and mechanism feel more solid than many Sheaffer's, there's no wiggle in the piston rod. Fills on the downstroke; the upstroke releases the sac full of ink, so be careful not to make a mess. Full disassembly with lubricated pneumatic piston rebuild. Nib tuned and smoothed. Celluloid treated and refinished. Approximately 2 hours hands-on. Finished with carnauba wax coat. Writes wet and consistent with zero hard starts after overnight capping.

Celluloid has been lightly hand-polished to remove microscratches. Deeper scratches left intact to preserve original material. Imprints are worn but legible, with gold filled cap in honest condition — left unpolished to prevent brassing. Nib tuned for smoothness.

Tested on Rhodia 90gsm with Diamine Imperial Purple.

Discounted for hairline in nib breatherhole, does not impact performance and will not expand given nib thickness.