Hello all!
I’m opening some packages and came across something that I am not sure what it means. Here is a photo of a set of yellow Gomdale 300s:
The markings are different for each. The pencil on the far right has a “4J” near the eraser, the pencil in the center has a “7A” in the same spot, and the pencil on the left is without this two character code. Anyone able to help me decipher?
Thanks so much! -Erskine
I believe the 4J was manufactured in October 1994 or 2004, and the 7A probably in January 1997.
The one without the marking may be marked on the reservoir on the inside.
All of this comes from the number being the last digit of the year, and the letter is A to L representing January to December.
As far as I have bene able to determine, the QE305 Gomdale were manufactured between 1988 and the early 2000’s, and thus my guesses for the dates.
This is the date code that is currently in use, and has been primarily since the mid to late-80’s, although there is an example of it’s use back in the late-70’s (I believe).
The earlier date code was stamped (usually on the inner reservoice) with yymmdd, although sometimes the leading y was left off. This code was in use between December 1975 and the mid to late-80’s.
There is an article about this in the back of the Pentel ID Book.
Thanks so much! Appreciate the explanation!
When I see “…The 2-character Date Code is beneath the clip”
Do you need to remove the clip to see this?
Are you talking about the PG203/PG205…?
In that case, no, you just need to rotate the clip to see it stamped into the body.
In the case of the P115/P115A, it is stamped on the inside of the clip, and you have to look along the barrel to the underside of the clip.
I was - thank you!
That also applies to all modern P200 pencils, if they have the Date Code, which some of the limited editions don’t (that I could find).
I am fairly new to this forum. Im not sure where to ask this: Recently I got a Pentel Graphgear 500 PG517 (0.7) in April. It came in the original Pentel plastic package with Japanese writing. The marking at the end says 3L. I know L means December. What about the 3? Package looks fairly new, so is it 2023 or 2013?
Also the lead hardness indicator has only 2H, H, HB, and B markings, the other postions are blank. Is it normal?
