Antique solid sterling silver novelty propelling pencil in the form of a Victorian weightlifting dumbbell. Cylindrical shaped plain body with round balls on either end & suspension loop at the top. By twisting the two halves of the pencil body the internal propelling pencil tip extends & retracts. The pencil has a twist action tip which extends & retracts the internal pencil lead mechanism. Both mechanisms are in excellent working order. The pencil comes complete with a lead in the pencil tip. Fully hallmarked on the side of the body but lacking a date letter probably due to the size of the pencil, however we can date this pencil to between 1883 & 1900 from the design of the makers mark which changed in 1900. (This pencil is shown in the KB Collection of Pencils book on page 58). Lovely collectors item.
 
Lead Size
M ( 1.0mm)
 
Assay Office
Birmingham
 
Maker
Arthur Downing
 
Manufacturing jeweller, Upper Hockley St, Birmingham; later Spencer Street, Birmingham; then Warstone Lane, Birmingham
 
Weight
5.7 grams
 
Dimensions
Length: - 
45mm (closed)
 
Condition.
Excellent condition with light surface marks that are consistent with genuine age, use & polishing.