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Glossar Letter C

CA  (de: CA)  (it: CA) An early ballpoint by Eversharp introduced in 1945. The pen operated by capillary action, hence the name.
Cap  (de: Kappe)  (it: cappuccio) The part of a pen that covers the nib/feed assembly. Early caps were friction fitted, and later threaded caps were introduced. Both are used on contemporary pens.
Cap band  (de: Kappenring)  (it: anello) trim consisting of one or more bands near the lip of the cap. The bands both decorate and protect from cracks. Some wide bands were used for personalized engraving.
cap bands  (de: Kappenringe)  (it: verette >anelli)[it] :
cap top  (de: Kappenkopf)  (it: testina)[it] :
capillary action  (de: Kapillarkräfte)  (it: capillarita)[it] :
Capillary filler  (de: Kapillarfüller) Parker introduced this fill system in 1956 in the model 61. Rolled cellophane tissue was encased in a metal housing within the barrel. When the end of this housing was dipped in ink the ink was absorbed through capillary action, and the unit had no moving parts.
Cartridge filler  (de: Patronenfüller)  (it: Penna a cartuccia) While there were some very early ink cartridges, generally the cartridge filler is thought of as a late fountain pen development, developed to respond to the quick and easy refilling of the new ballpoints. Many contemporary pens can use either cartridges or a piston converter.
Casein = Galalite  (de: Kasein = Galalith)  (it: Caseina = galalite) A material used in some early pens prior to plastic. Casein is derived from milk protein and permitted pastel colors. But the pens discolored quickly and did not hold up. Parker produced casein pens as early as 1914, and these may have been the first pens other than black and red. Casein is hygroscopic and thus tends to deform if immersed in water for longer period of time.
Celluloid  (de: Zelluloid)  (it: cellulloide) One of the first synthetic plastics. The first plastic pens were made from a celluloid variation called Radite by Sheaffer in 1924, and Permanite by Parker in 1926. Celluloid is very flammable and these early pens should be protected from any flame potential. Celluloid also tends to discolour > ambering, due to the chemicals of rubber and ink. Badly cured Celluloid (before production of pens) tends to shrink. In general to be worked on the lathe, but can also be worked as a thermoplast.
CF  (de: CF)  (it: CF) A cartride filling pen by the French JIF Waterman in the '30s. with glass cartridges, then in the 50ies successfully relaunched with plastic cartridges.
Challenger  (de: Challenger)  (it: Challenger) A line of button-fillers by Parker in the '30s. Made in two different sizes with several different clips and in a variety of colors, Challengers are often thought of as an economy line. The Deluxe Challenger added some trim, but the Royal Challenger, which came in three colors with a herringbone pattern, was arguably one of Parkers best-looking pens of the period, Early Royal Challengers has a unique sword clip while later models had a stepped clip.
Chasing  (de: Maschinengravur)  (it: godronatura)The machined engravings on hard rubber and metal pens. Before the colorful plastics emerged, chasing was one way to add some decorative flair to pens. Many different patterns of chasing were used.
Chevron  (de: Chevron)  (it: Chevron) One of many chasing patterns. In the form of multiple "Vs", chevron chasing is most often found on pens by Wahl-Eversharp."
clip  (de: Klip)  (it: fermaglio)A metal clasp attached to a pen cap to keep it firmly in place in your pocket.
cliplessThis does not mean that the clip is missing. It means that the pens was designed to be used without & never had a clip.
Coin filler  (de: Coin filler)  (it: Coin filler) One of many variations on the mechanism used to depress an internal pressure bar against a rubber sac for filling. Coinfillers had a slot in the barrel through which a coin was inserted and pressed.
Combination  (de: Kombo ?)  (it: combinazione) A fountain pen and pencil combined in one instrument. These were very popular through the '30s and many second-tier companies marketed them as economical since they provided two instruments in one. Combinations by Parker, Waterman, and Eversharp are rare, while Sheaffer produced many.
Command Performance  (de: Command Performance)  (it: Command Performance) The solid 14k Skyline produced by Eversharp in the mid '40s. It was originally called the "gift of a lifetime.""
Commando  (de: Commando)  (it: Commando) A plastic pen from Waterman in the mid '40s. The Commando was a lower priced alternative to the high end Hundred Year pens and Emblems of the period.
Condition - EXCELLENT  (de: Zustand: EXCELLENT)  (it: Condizioni: Eccellente)Used pen, but in very good condition, no serious damages like cracks. Working condition. 
Condition - FAIR  (de: Zustand: FAIR)  (it: Condizioni: )Used pen with clear signs of use, damages like cracks and scratches possible, no all the parts may be original. 
Condition - GOOD  (de: Zustand - GOOD)  (it: Condizioni: Buone)Used pen, clear signs of use, but no severe damages like cracks or missing parts. 
Condition - MINT = New Old Stock  (de: Zustand - MINT)  (it: Condizioni:Nuova)Like New, never used, no defect at all.
Condition - NEAR MINT  (de: Zustand NEAR MINT)  (it: Quasi nuova)Like new, but has been inked and may show minimal signs of use or storage. Of course no brassing, cracks or other damages. 
Condition - POOR  (de: Zustand POOR)  (it: Condizioni:)Good for parts only... 
Converter  (de: Konverter)  (it: Converter)A piston filling device used in place of a cartridge so that cartridge pens can be filled with bottled ink.
Coronet  (de: Coronet)  (it: Coronet) A late '30s art-deco style pen from Wahl-Eversharp. Coronets were made in several plastic colored barrels with gold-filled or silver caps, and in all metal models. Plastic inserts at the top of the cap came in red (Dubonnet) or black.
Cracks  (de: Risse in Kappe oder Schaft)  (it: Fissure , crepe) Most pen cracks are found around cap lips and come from caps being posted (placed on barrel end) too firmly. They are especially common in red hard rubber which becomes quite brittle with age. However, cracks can occur at other locations on a pen, as well as in metal parts including nibs.
Crescent-filler  (de: Crescent-filler)  (it: Crescent filler)Another filling mechanism that involved a semi-circular or "crescent" shaped metal bar that protruded from the side of the pen barrel. When depressed depressed & released cause suction in the bladder. Mostly associated with Conklin pens, but also was modified and used by Evans and Wirt. "
Crest  (de: Crest)  (it: Crest)Introduced by Sheaffer in 1939, the Crest began the popularity of metal caps. It was a high end pen, and the name has been re-introduced on a line of contemporary Sheaffer pens.
Crystallization  (de: Kristallisation)  (it: cristallizazzione)Deterioration of plastic parts on pens. Crystallization is most common on the translucent ends of the Waterman Hundred Year pen, and on some Wahl- Eversharp Dorics.