The Mentmore Diploma semi hooded version, this pen, was made for a short time from 1948.  The semi hooded nib may well have been an early response to the Parker 51 which features a fully hooded nib.  

Finished in a very eyecatching Royal blue, the pen is in first class condition throughout.  It has a good deep shine and the Gold filling has held up very well.  The 'jewel' at the barrel end, only found on the early pens, has not 'crazed', a common issue with this model.

The pen has been fully restored and tested.  The filling system has a new sac, it works well and takes up a good vaolume of ink.  The 14Ct. Gold nib writes well, it produces a smooth and consistent medium to fine line.  The nib is not flexible but still has a good 'soft' feel, it requires only a touch of pressure and is a very 'easy' writer.

The Mentmore Diploma is a fine example of an English 1940s lever filler, this semi hooded model clearly looks forward to the next decade.  At six and a half inches in length when posted, it is a handsome, good sized, and practical pen that would make an excellent vintage daily writer.