The Conway Stewart 15 was introduced in 1952, it featured in the 1953 price list but was replaced by the '15G' in the 1957 list. This pen, the '15' has nickel plated trim, I assume the '15G' had gold plated trim.
The pen was made in 'long' and 'short versions, this pen, at 12.9 cm. capped is the longer pen, the short pen is about a half centimetre shorter. With the cap posted on the barrel for use, the pen is a very generous 15.5 cm., well over 6 inches in length.
The pen is in superb, mint condition, there is an ink stain on the guarantee/instruction leaflet suggesting that the pen has been used at least once. No restoration was needed but the ink sac has been replaced as it had hardened with age. The last photograph, taken before fitting the new sac, shows that the ink sac was, in fact, the original Conway Stewart sac installed 'at birth'. I'm always pleased to see this as it means that this is the first restoration, I'll pop the old sac in the box as it is part of the provenance of the pen.
The original box is in sound, clean condition and contains an instruction/guarantee leaflet. For some reason Conway Stewart made a decision to give boxes a 'distressed' appearance from new. Perhaps it was a reminder that this was a wel lestablished and dependable product, in contrast to the 'new fangled' ballpoint.
The colour is bright and vibrant, it shows no fading with an excellent surface and strong barrel imprint. Although the trim is sometimes described as 'chrome plated' it is, in fact, nickel. This is not as 'harsh' as chrome and has a more subtle, and very attractive finish.
Th 14Ct Gold Conway Stewart nib writes with a smooth, medium line. It has a small. but pleasing amount of flex which offers some line variation although it writes very well 'conventionally' with the lightest of touches.
The Conway Stewart 15 was made at a time when many manufacturers were facing an uncertain future brought about by the onslaught of the ballpoint. Despite the pressure, the company continued to produce high quality pens, often in bright, attractive colours such as this pen, until 1962, when the they were forced to cut costs by introducing a new range of injection moulded pens bearing little resemblance to the high quality pens on which the company had made its reputation.
The Conway Stewart 15 is not a common pen by any mean. A near mint example, such as this pen, is clearly of collectable quality but would also serve well as an unusual and attractive daily writer.