Pilot/Namiki Vanishing Point

Description

Modern fountain pen enthusiasts who don't know the history of Pilot's branding in the US more than likely only know Namiki as a high-end, luxury product and are unaware that the Capless used to be sold under the "Namiki" label. Unfortunately, Pilot has been very inconsistent with its branding. It used to be that all pens sold in America were branded "Namiki". Then they decided that the "regular" pens would be branded as "Pilot" and "Namiki" was for the luxury pens. But, they still inexplicably brand their regular, run-of-the-mill ink as "Namiki" even though the premium Iroshizuku ink line is branded "Pilot". So who knows? It must make sense in Japan.
T
he pen was in the first batch of "Pilot" branded VPs in 1999, it is certainly plausible that it was put in a Namiki box amid the switch from Namiki branding to Pilot Branding either at the factory in Japan or, more likely, by the US distributor after it shipped to CONUS.
The Namiki Vanishing Point retractable fountain pen was launched in Japan during the early 1960’s by the Pilot Corporation. Originally called “Capless”, it had one of the most complex inner mechanisms ever made. The twist-retractable nib action was a remarkable innovation, making the Capless a truly sensational pen. This particular model has the converter. Pen has never been filled, only dipped.
For those of you that think "That's not a Namiki, that's a Pilot in a Namiki box",  is like saying
"Hey, that's not a
Nissan
pickup! it says 'Datsun' on the tailgate!"
By Checking the numbers on the nib and convertor, There's the number "585" beside the 14K, and the number A999 on the convertor.
14k is the gold content. 585 denotes the percentage gold content (585 = 14k/24k × 1000.
For the A999: the letter indicates the factory (one of two production lines at the Hiratsuka factory), the first number the month (9 = September), the last two numbers the year (99 = 1999).
Remember Father's Day is rapidly approaching!