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Koh-I-Noor 5616 Adapto

(patent pending)

Koh-I-Noor Inc., Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm to 3 mm pushbutton spring clutch all metal none circa 1955 Italy

see also	Koh-I-Noor 5611 "Adapto" Koh-I-Noor 5617 "Select-O-Matic" US Patent 2,801,613 "Lead Gripping Means for Lead Holders," 1955 Charles Bruning General Catalog, 1957, p 204 Fredrix Artists Materials catalog, 1964, p 132 Art Brown catalog, 1978, p 100 Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph catalog, 1980, p 30

I wanted to test the Adapto's adaptobility and so shoved a 3 mm lead into the one above. It works. Later model 5616s will not take a 3 mm lead.

According to a timeline published in the 1976 Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, Inc. catalog, the "Adapto-Clutch" was introduced in 1952. I find it strange that it took until 1955 to file a patent claim. Very early versions of the 5616 had "Italy * G3 * pat. pend." stamped into the end of the pushbutton. Most have "Italy" imprinted on the barrel. Until about 1985 the nosepiece, collet, and pushbutton were gold plated. Later models had nickel plated fittings.


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reverse

Koh-I-Noor 5616 Adapto

(gold plated fittings)

Koh-I-Noor Inc., Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm to 3 mm pushbutton spring clutch all metal none circa 1957 to (1980) Italy

see also	Koh-I-Noor 5611 "Adapto" Koh-I-Noor 5617 "Select-O-Matic" US Patent 2,801,613 "Lead Gripping Means for Lead Holders," 1955 Charles Bruning General Catalog, 1957, p 204 Fredrix Artists Materials catalog, 1964, p 132 Art Brown catalog, 1978, p 100 Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph catalog, 1980, p 30


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reverse

Koh-I-Noor 5616 Adapto

(nickel plated fittings, pinkish grip)

Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm to 3 mm pushbutton spring clutch all metal none circa 1985 Italy

This example has the pinkish grip of the earlier gold plated model, but the chrome plated fittings of the later models.


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Koh-I-Noor 5616 Adapto

(nickel plated fittings)

Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm to 3 mm pushbutton spring clutch all metal none circa 1985 to early 1990s Italy

see also	Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph 1985 catalog, p B-2


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Koh-I-Noor Super-Adapto 5616

Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm to 2.5 mm pushbutton spring clutch all metal none early-1990s to (present?) Italy

This is the most recent incarnation of the 5616. This version has an octagonal barrel, whereas the earlier models above have hexagonal barrels. Below is its packaging which pictures the earlier style.


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Note the “DI” at the end of the barrel. That’s an I (eye) not a one. Even the 1980 Koh-I-Noor catalog can’t be trusted. reverse

Koh-I-Noor 5616-DI Adapto

Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph, Bloomsbury, New Jersey, USA

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm to 3 mm pushbutton spring clutch all metal none circa 1980 Italy
special features	sliding degree indicator
see also	Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph catalog, 1980, p 30


		© 2001 to 2008 Dennis B. Smith	^ top