Maker: Lamy.
This pen might be thought of as a lower-end version of the rather splendid Lamy 27, or indeed a school version, as it was available with steel points. I must admit that in the case of the example I have, I don’t see much in the way of corner-cutting apart from the relatively simple unlined cap.
I am not, I’m afraid, going to expand the currently available information on the Lamy 99 in English, which is sadly somewhat sparse. Some general notes, then:
- The earlier models have more rounded ends, while later were rather squared off.
- Slip-caps appear on the earlier models, while screw-caps appear later.
- Metal and plastic caps were both present in the early versions, but is seems that the later ones were only in plastic.
Production Run: 1962 – 1970s
Cost When New: Ads for what appear to be fairly early in the run indicate DM13.50, which at the time converted to about $3.50. This seems an amazing bargain; however, I have been told without any details that the Deutschmark was artificially undervalued for a long time after the war, so export prices, if it was indeed exported, would have been slightly higher (probably about the same as the Parker 45, which aimed at a similar market).
Size: Older round-ended type– 13.6cm long capped, 15.8cm posted, 12.3 cm uncapped.
Point: 14K gold in some versions, steel in others.
Body: Polystyrene.
Filler: Piston, approx. capacity 1.3 ml.
The Lamy 99; somehow, a less expensive pen than the 27. With round ends and a screw cap, it’s (probably) mid-run. A 27 of the same age would have a wider band and smaller windows.
“OM” does not describe the shape of the point in this pen; it is all too easy to swap sections, and the fine I’ve got is less in demand than broader and shaped points.
I assume this is a personalization, but it’s so wee.
The inner workings
If you are relying on the preceding information to win a bet or impress a teacher, you should read the site’s scholarly caveat. Remember, this is the internet, and it’s full of bad information.