During WWII many countries suffered economic restrictions and governments required to save on gold and metals to support war economy. This was particularly true for Italy and Germany where the use of gold was prohibited for any kind of production, including writing instruments.

Pen makers started using steel or special alloys to replace gold for nibs and in many cases even cap finishes were deprived of gold and became chrome coloured. Some pen makers adopted glass nibs, which were cheaper than steel and could be easily replaced in case they broke.

Fountain pens with glass nibs remained in many pen catalogues even after the end of the war; these nibs were particularly useful for carbon copies and in a certain way, they retained a special charme.

This beautiful unbranded German piston filler in blue pineneedle celluloid is fitted with a blue glass nib which is very pleasant to use. It is absolutely rigid but smooth and offers an EF line.