When I bought it, almost two decades ago, I didn't have the seller fill out the fountain pen certificate. So I couldn't tell you the year of manufacture, but I suspect it's only slightly newer than yours.
I have several American fountain pens: Parker, Cross, and Sheaffer. As well as European ones, such as Montblanc and Lamy. Before I retired, I always carried one of them around. Back then, I was seen as a weirdo, since most people used cheap, corporate-style pens. Now that I'm at home most of the time, the keyboard has become the preferred writing interface. I've even considered dictating the fictions I usually share on social media into my smartphone, but I'm still very hesitant.
Would writing by hand affect my current writing?
It certainly would. Perhaps, at first, it would slow down my pace, but I sense that, like a chess player, each letter, word, and paragraph would acquire greater quality. Of course, in the end, I'd have to rewrite it or scan it with an OCR and edit it to avoid errors in the process. Well, with good, clear handwriting, that wouldn't be a problem.
Going back over the steps doesn't sound bad at all!