Up for sale is a magnificent piece of British writing history: an early Onoto "The Pen" No. 3000 in Black Chased Hard Rubber (BCHR), dating from the 1910s–1920s. This fountain pen is a stunning example of Thomas De La Rue’s engineering excellence and comes with its extremely rare original green cardboard presentation box.

Condition & Restoration:

• Cosmetic: Excellent vintage condition. The chasing on the ebonite body is remarkably crisp and tactile. The black color has oxidation consistent with age but remains deep, dark, and glossy. There are no cracks, no deep scratches, and no personalization. The imprints on the barrel ("Onoto Patent Self-Filling Pen - De La Rue, London") are perfectly sharp and legible.

• Mechanical: Fully restored and functional. The complex plunger-filling system has been completely overhauled with fresh, modern seals (washer and packing). It holds a massive amount of ink and operates smoothly. The shut-off valve function at the end of the stroke is perfectly airtight, preventing any leaks during travel.

• The Box: The original green cardboard box featuring the iconic three-lion shield crest is included. It shows some honest wear on the edges but is structurally sound and complete—a true rarity for a box that is over a century old.
  

Specifications:

• Model: Onoto No. 3000 (Over-and-Under style feed generation).

• Material: Black Chased Hard Rubber (BCHR).

• Nib: Original De La Rue Onoto 14K Gold No. 3 Nib, featuring the iconic heart-shaped breather hole. It offers a beautiful, smooth writing experience with lovely natural bounce/flexibility typical of early British gold nibs.

• Feed: Classic vintage ladder-style ebonite feed providing excellent flow control.