Is there anyone that could tell me a little bit more about these rotring 505 pencils?
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Aside from the magical shrinking size which I know nothing about, these were the first generation rOtring 500s that came out in 1985. The 500s started out with only 3 sizes: 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7, corresponding to the markings on the body: 503, 505, 507.
As you can see, they DO NOT have a red ring because they were produced using the same parts pioneered by the Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic 563x in 1984. There is no ‘509’ made bacause KIN had not made the parts yet. There is a very rare ‘500’ 2mm lead holder but it only says ‘rOtring’ on the side. I always thought if the 500 was properly developed by rOtring, it would have said ‘520’. Instead, all of the 50x and Rapidomatic owe their design to the KIN 5614 Select-O-Matic II from 1984.
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It’s a very strange angle, but they are all of the same size 
Thank you for sharing that bit of history @drifand Do you know up until when they were produced? Anything in particular that distinguishes them from later generations?
By 1988, the 50x was done. rOtring evolved the markings into the ‘rOtring 500 / 0.5mm’ format, included the 0.9mm model, added a very thin red ring and added the 600 into the mix.
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This was a gift set of the 3 sizes. The text reads:
Now you have better control over perfection.
• Test the rotring 500.
This is how a fine lead pencil must be today.
Every detail is right.
• Special faceted cut
For a firm, non-slip hold in your hand.
This ensures precise work.
• Hardness Grade Indicator
For organisation and clarity. Use the rear faceted ring to set the hardness grade you’re using on the scale.
• Guide Tube
Rigid, 4 mm long guide tube enables precise guidance on rulers and drawing edges.
• Eraser
Pull off the rear cap and quickly correct small errors. Fast and efficient.
• Cleaning Wick
For cleaning the refill tube in a matter of seconds.
• 3 Lead Sizes
0.3 - 0.5 - 0.7 - all the sizes that the professional needs.
Try out your new Rotring 500 now.
Looking forward to a good partnership.
Notice how rOtring did not mention that the tips were designed to be used with Leroy scribers…
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Not necessarily…
A 2mm has a different casing and requirements. So theoretically it needs a different setup from the “series” where you just change a few components along an assembly line.
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Well, in the case of KIN, the first gen Rapidomatic internals, grip and tip can be swapped onto the Select-O-Matic II body.
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