Maker: Waterman.
This pen is one of several models that Waterman offered during the Second World War which had extremely pugnacious names. This is understandable in the context of the time, but in this case it seems slightly askew, as the marketing (at least, as much as I’ve seen) of the Conquest was aimed at women. The “V” suffix on a model number had always meant a short pen, but had originally stood for “vest.” Waterman’s ad-copy describes this and its upscale counterpart the Garland as “designed especially for milady”, which is as fine an item of period condescension as one could hope for.
Apart from possible objections to size, this pen’s main potential drawback is it’s aluminum cap. It’s not flimsy, and it lacks the easily-scuffed anodization of the Crusader, but is its liable to scratches in a more profound way than steel-capped pens. I do find myself wondering if perhaps this pen inspired Parker to offer the Demi model of the “51”….
Production Run: 1943 – c. 1953 (the 1947 catalogue refers to the introduction of the V-size Taperite; I assume the model predates the option, but any Taperite example can’t be older than 1947).
Cost When New: $5.00 (for modern value, try this calculator).
Size: 11.6 cm long capped, 13.0 cm posted, 10.5 cm uncapped.
Point: 14k gold.
Body: Plastic
Filler: Lever, capacity approx. 0.8 ml.
Waterman Conquest Taperite
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