Mabie Todd Swan Eternal 54, Mottled GPT, Eternal #4 14ct ENG nib

📒 History/Provenance

• Mabie Todd's "Swan Self-Filling Pen" (Lever-Filler) was first introduced in 1920 as a patented "self-locking lever" to prevent accidents where the lever arm catches onto something. It was also during this time that we began to see a greater adoption of mottled hard red rubber being used to make pens by MT&Co. as earlier eyedroppers and safeties were often black or cardinal (red) hard rubber. 
• The "Eternal Swan" line up was introduced in Great Britain in 1924, but were almost all made in the New York factory until 1925 where the popularity and management changes moved production over to England. Given the English made nib, this will date the pen to 1925/1926. 

🧪 QA & Recommendation

• Extremely soft Swan Eternal Nib, these are the once in a blue moon nibs as Eternal nibs were made to be more rigid manifold nibs. Very exciting level of line variation here going up to 1.03mm comfortably with moderate pressure, but not suggested as it was not manufactured for extra tensile strength. 
•  Extremely smooth juicy and bouncy #4 sized nib, with more fine reverse writing at around 0.20mm.
• Tested on Rhodia 80gsm A5 pad and Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue ink.

🔧 Restoration Commentary (repairs done, feed/nib adjusted, polishing notes)

• Imprints are worn but visible on end finial (model number 54 ETN), Swan logo on top of cap, and hallmarks on barrel. Some wear to lever arm but excellent condition on cap trim and 3 bands.
• Mottled ebonite rejuvenated and hand polished, "softness" of ebonite restored. Very beautiful mottled ebonite rejuvenated to an incredible condition on color and shine without over polishing.
• Nib heat set and tuned for smoothness