
◄	Drafting Leadholder Gallery Index	http://leadholder.com/lh-draft-staedtler-780_series.html#780-lefthanded	▲ top


	reverse

Mars-Technico 780

(left-handed imprint, long grip)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings degree imprint: unknown range circa early to mid-1970s Germany
special features	lead pointer in removable pushbutton


◄	Drafting Leadholder Gallery Index	http://leadholder.com/lh-draft-staedtler-780_series.html#780-right-ribbed	▲ top

	An circa 1978 example with complex pocket clip and lead pointer in pushbutton. A 1980s example with simplified pocket clip. A 1990s example with plain pushbutton. A 1990s example with degree imprint.

Mars 780

(short grip)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings 14: degree imprints: 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, none circa 1978 to present Germany
special features	lead pointer in removable pushbutton on earlier versions
see also	Staedtler-Mars 1978 dealer calendar Staedtler Mars catalog, 1985, p 18 Staedtler Katalog 1987-88, p 13 Staedtler 980 (type 2) drafting leadholder

This leadholder could be described as the international default drafting leadholder. It’s available everywhere and has been since 1977 or ’78. It has remained unchanged in all but the most superficial of ways for 30 years.

Now, about those superficial differences: When first introduced, the 780 came equipped with a rather elaborate pocket clip formed from very thin spring steel, as shown above. This was then replaced with a much simpler clip formed from heavier steel. The only other change I’ve seen is the removal of the pushbutton with integrated lead pointer in favor of a plain metal button. Currently, there is also a lovely chinese made version of the 780 sold by Staedtler U.S.A. although it has been monickered the model 980 (and when I say “lovely,” in this case, I really mean something less so. Much less so.)


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Mars-Technico 782

(imprint on two sides, tail extension, pre-1978 style logo)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none circa 1970s Germany
special features	lead pointer in removable pushbutton


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Mars-Technico 782

(imprint on two sides, 1978 style logo)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none circa late 1970s to 1980s Germany
special features	lead pointer in removable pushbutton
see also	Staedtler Mars Catalog, 1985, p 18 Staedtler Katalog 1987-88, p 13


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Mars Technico 782

(imprint on one side only)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none circa 1990 (to 2000) Germany
special features	lead pointer in removable button


◄	Drafting Leadholder Gallery Index	http://leadholder.com/lh-draft-staedtler-780_series.html#783-left-stripe	▲ top

	side 1 side 2
	side 3

Mars-Technico 783

(left-handed imprint, black/white tail bands)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings custom imprints circa late 1960s to 1970s Germany
special features	unique lead degree indicator in grip
see also	Staedtler Mars Catalog, 1985, p 18 Staedtler Mars Technico 48013

This left handed holder is branded "Lietz 4004-50" on the reverse side. This holder has a vestige of the black and white end that distinguishes Staedtler Mars wooden drafting pencils. The 1/2 scale leadholder image above shows an earlier and more direct adaptation of the Staedtler Mars wooden pencil graphics.


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	reverse

Mars-Technico 783

(right-handed imprint, pre-1978 style logo)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none known circa 1970s to 1980s (discontinued between 1985 and 1987) Germany
special features	unique lead degree indicator in grip
see also	Staedtler Mars Catalog, 1985, p 18 Staedtler Mars Technico 48013


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Staedtler 785

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch metal clutch and nosepiece, plastic barrel and grip unknown (circa 1980s) Germany

see also	Staedtler 788

This model is similar to the 788 with a plastic barrel and grip, but has a metal nosepiece rather black plastic.


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Mars-Pan-Technico 787

(left-handed imprint, 6-jawed collet)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	1.9 to 3.15 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none known circa early 1970s Germany
special features	clutch adaptable to a range of lead sizes lead pointer in removable pushbutton
see also	Staedtler Mars Pan-Technico 48019


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	reverse

Mars-Pan-Technico 787

(two-sided imprint, pre-1978 style logo, 4-jawed collet)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	1.9 to 3.15 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none known mid 1970s to (1985, maybe later) Germany
special features	clutch adaptable to a range of lead sizes lead pointer in removable pushbutton
see also	Staedtler Mars Catalog, 1985, p 18 Staedtler Katalog 1987-88, p 13 Staedtler Mars Pan-Technico 48019 leadholder

A late 1980s or early 1990s model with darker blue barrel.


◄	Drafting Leadholder Gallery Index	http://leadholder.com/lh-draft-staedtler-780_series.html#787-dark	▲ top

Mars-PanTechnico 787

(imprint on only one side, dark blue barrel, 4-jawed collet)

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	1.9 to 3.15 mm pushbutton spring clutch plastic barrel, metal fittings none known (late 1980s to early 90s) Germany
special features	clutch adaptable to a range of lead sizes lead pointer in removable pushbutton


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Staedtler 788 & 788 C

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch all plastic except for collet barrel color: black, blue, orange, red, yellow, ? circa 1980s to present Germany

see also	Staedtler Mars Catalog, 1985, p 18 Staedtler Katalog 1987-88, p 13

This pencil is (or was, according to the 1985 Staedtler catalog) sold as the 789 in Canada for reasons obscure. Was a famous Canadian killed by the number 788, or is 788 Canadian slang for a sexual position or something? If anyone knows what’s up with the name game let me know.


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Staedtler 789

Staedtler, Germany

lead diameter mechanism composition variations production date origin	2 mm pushbutton spring clutch all plastic except for collet unknown circa 1980s Germany

see also	Staedtler Mars Catalog, 1985, p 18


		original content, images, layout and design © 2001 to 2010 Dennis B. Smith \| more info...	▲ top

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