OMAS EXTRA LEVER FILLER - ARCO GRAY CELLULOID - WARTIME MODEL

The Extra model was introduced by Omas in 1932 in a very wide range of colorful celluloids.

The model was available in three sizes both with a cylindrical and facetted design. The features of the model were a rich and elegant greek key cap band placed between two thin cap rings and a typical roller clip.

Between 1936 and 1940 the greek key cap band was discontinued both on the cylindrical and facetted model and replaced with three cap bands.

During wartime, Omas stopped using gold and all the products were manufactured with chrome finish. Gold nibs were replaced with Permanio nibs, a special alloy patented by Omas, which was advertised as being "like gold, better than gold".

Actually Permanio nibs could guarantee a certain amount of flexibility but their capability to resist ink acidity was very limited and only a few of them made it to our days in perfect condition. Permanio nibs are mostly found with traces of rust  and corrosion.

They are however the perfect match for Omas models with chrome finish and in the old days of collecting, most collectors wanted to have Permanio on all the pens of this kind. Gold was seen as inappropriate.

Nowadays things are different, both because many collectors have become less picky about this detail and also because most Omas pens nowadays are used to write, thanks to the high quality of their gold nibs. Thus, Permanio nibs have become sort of "old fashioned" and no longer so desirable.

Nevertheless,  this Omas Extra Senior size with chrome finish represents an extremely beautiful and rare example of a perfect wartime product with a gorgeous Permanio nib in perfect condition. 

The pen is in outstanding condition with no discoloration at all and the cap bands are firm.

 A very rare piece!