Maker: Arnold
These strange items, known a “combo” pens, were mainly popular in the 1930s. They saved you the need of having a pocket wide enough for a pen and a pencil, while the only drawbacks were very small supply of ink, a ridiculously short lead, and no eraser. Arnold is one of the better known makers of these objects, and apart from the inherent goofiness of the design, I have to grant that this is a fairly nice little pen. Strong emphasis on the “little”.
Production Run: 1930s, possibly extending into the 1940s
Size: 11.8 cm long capped, 12.4 cm posted, 10.1 cm uncapped.
Point: Plated steel point with “butterfly” nibs.
Body: Celluloid.
Filler: Lever, capacity approx. 0.6 ml.
The Mighty (small) Arnold Combo
With the cap on, it becomes a pencil
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