Found Conklin Fountain Pen..what Is It?

[raptor0192]

Hello everyone,

 

I was always interested in fountain pens, and now I found one in my grandfather's attic. He recently passed away in June, and we've been going through his house. The one I found was in a blue case along with a gold colored mechanical pencil. Instead of trying to describe it, I'll just attach some photos.

 

Any help on what model this is, how it works, etc.? I know nothing about it.

 

Thank you!

Ryan

[raptor0192]

[raptor0192]

[raptor0192]

[raptor0192]

[gweddig]

I'll let others comment on exactly what it is but it seems that you have a very special set there. Plus it was your grandfathers. It likely needs some restoration but looks like it's in terrific shape. Check out richardspens.com and look up Conklin Crescent filler.

 

I'm drooling over it, and welcome to FPN!

 

--greg

[raptor0192]

Hi Greg,

 

Is it a good pen, then? The lid won't screw down on the pen for some reason. There's the tiniest of dents in the pencil. And the outside of the box is worn. Is there a way to post any more images? It says I hit my 4.88MB max...? Only 5 pictures ever and I'm done?

 

And even though it was in my grandfather's attic, I doubt he ever used it. It was most likely his father's, or someone else's from my grandmother's side. We found a lot of her uncles' belongings up there. The engraving area on the pen wasn't used, so no way to know now.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

Edited September 23, 2012 by raptor0192

[emiliovillegas]

You can upload them using other services like Photobucket , etc and then post the link here. That's a very nice pen!

[raptor0192]

True, I'll try something like that.

 

Well, I turned the ring under the crescent, like I read, and depressed the crescent, and it just made a nasty crunching sound and the crescent wouldn't come back up.... had to lift the crescent back up with my fingers to try to slide the ring back under the crescent. So I guess the bladder turned hard and crunched? Then does the bladder normally push the crescent back up? Or does something else do that? If it's the bladder that normally pressed it back up, it makes sense why it didn't come back up on its own...

 

And what would be keeping the lid from screwing on?

 

Thanks,

Ryan

[jar]

True, I'll try something like that.

 

Well, I turned the ring under the crescent, like I read, and depressed the crescent, and it just made a nasty crunching sound and the crescent wouldn't come back up.... had to lift the crescent back up with my fingers to try to slide the ring back under the crescent. So I guess the bladder turned hard and crunched? Then does the bladder normally push the crescent back up? Or does something else do that? If it's the bladder that normally pressed it back up, it makes sense why it didn't come back up on its own...

 

And what would be keeping the lid from screwing on?

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

the bladder is certainly gone. There are a few other parts in there to press the sac down creating a vacuum in the sac and as it fills it pushes the crescent back up.

 

The cap issue can be several things, the inner cap shrunk over time, cross threading ...

 

All the issues can be addressed and it is a set well worth restoring.

[raptor0192]

Here's a bunch more.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8449/8015707311_2a2dbe0e06_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/8015707944_8916e2085f_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8321/8015707427_debc19c877_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/8015706991_771403d977_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8449/8015706867_7ccdf01e56_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8015707520_566ffeaaaa_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8015706559_16cbcb369f_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8449/8015707124_b74ce73f23_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8015706742_df97c2c7c6_c.jpg

[raptor0192]

 

the bladder is certainly gone. There are a few other parts in there to press the sac down creating a vacuum in the sac and as it fills it pushes the crescent back up.

 

The cap issue can be several things, the inner cap shrunk over time, cross threading ...

 

All the issues can be addressed and it is a set well worth restoring.

 

It was actually pretty tough getting the crescent back up to put the ring back beneath. How is the bladder replaced? Or can't it be done easily?

 

Inner cap shrinking? What is it made of? How is that fixed? It's almost like the pen is bottoming out in the lid, but it shouldn't be.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

[jar]

the bladder is certainly gone. There are a few other parts in there to press the sac down creating a vacuum in the sac and as it fills it pushes the crescent back up.

 

The cap issue can be several things, the inner cap shrunk over time, cross threading ...

 

All the issues can be addressed and it is a set well worth restoring.

 

It was actually pretty tough getting the crescent back up to put the ring back beneath. How is the bladder replaced? Or can't it be done easily?

 

Inner cap shrinking? What is it made of? How is that fixed? It's almost like the pen is bottoming out in the lid, but it shouldn't be.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

It's very likely that the non-metal parts on that pen are hard rubber and OLD hard rubber. It's not a pen I'd suggest as a good candidate for learning on. But it is also not a very expensive repair project. I'd suggest that you send it to one of the better fountain pen restorers.

[pen2paper]

Great find, (family too!), and agree, well worth having restored.

The pencil appears to have been used. The rings likely had a chain or grosgrain ribbon attached, which then allowed the pencil/pen to fit into a small vest pocket.

edited to also include, hard to tell but the nib appears to have a slight bend at the tip? this might have happened during writing, but since you mentioned the capping/threading, were it me, I'd be careful capping the pen, don't force anything - if the cap is askew it might damage/bend the nib. The person restoring the pen should be able to make all of this right.

 

Also, you may want to look at old family photos. If you find someone with a chain going to a vest pocket, that's the likely original owner.

Edited September 23, 2012 by pen2paper

[raptor0192]

the bladder is certainly gone. There are a few other parts in there to press the sac down creating a vacuum in the sac and as it fills it pushes the crescent back up.

 

The cap issue can be several things, the inner cap shrunk over time, cross threading ...

 

All the issues can be addressed and it is a set well worth restoring.

 

It was actually pretty tough getting the crescent back up to put the ring back beneath. How is the bladder replaced? Or can't it be done easily?

 

Inner cap shrinking? What is it made of? How is that fixed? It's almost like the pen is bottoming out in the lid, but it shouldn't be.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

It's very likely that the non-metal parts on that pen are hard rubber and OLD hard rubber. It's not a pen I'd suggest as a good candidate for learning on. But it is also not a very expensive repair project. I'd suggest that you send it to one of the better fountain pen restorers.

 

Well, how much does "not very expensive" mean? Sounds expensive to send out for restoration and repair....

[raptor0192]

Great find, (family too!), and agree, well worth having restored.

The pencil appears to have been used. The rings likely had a chain or grosgrain ribbon attached, which then allowed the pencil/pen to fit into a small vest pocket.

edited to also include, hard to tell but the nib appears to have a slight bend at the tip? this might have happened during writing, but since you mentioned the capping/threading, were it me, I'd be careful capping the pen, don't force anything - if the cap is askew it might damage/bend the nib. The person restoring the pen should be able to make all of this right.

 

Also, you may want to look at old family photos. If you find someone with a chain going to a vest pocket, that's the likely original owner.

 

No, the pen tip (nib?) doesn't seem to be bent to me. Just the angle of the photo. But you'd know better. Want closeups of the pen tip?

And I think the black part of the pen is indeed hitting the "inner" lid, before the pen is all the way in, before it even engages the threaded section. Would that make sense?

 

Thanks,

Ryan

Edited September 23, 2012 by raptor0192

[jar]

the bladder is certainly gone. There are a few other parts in there to press the sac down creating a vacuum in the sac and as it fills it pushes the crescent back up.

 

The cap issue can be several things, the inner cap shrunk over time, cross threading ...

 

All the issues can be addressed and it is a set well worth restoring.

 

It was actually pretty tough getting the crescent back up to put the ring back beneath. How is the bladder replaced? Or can't it be done easily?

 

Inner cap shrinking? What is it made of? How is that fixed? It's almost like the pen is bottoming out in the lid, but it shouldn't be.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

It's very likely that the non-metal parts on that pen are hard rubber and OLD hard rubber. It's not a pen I'd suggest as a good candidate for learning on. But it is also not a very expensive repair project. I'd suggest that you send it to one of the better fountain pen restorers.

 

Well, how much does "not very expensive" mean? Sounds expensive to send out for restoration and repair....

 

Probably $25.00-35.00.

[pen2paper]

Great find, (family too!), and agree, well worth having restored.

The pencil appears to have been used. The rings likely had a chain or grosgrain ribbon attached, which then allowed the pencil/pen to fit into a small vest pocket.

edited to also include, hard to tell but the nib appears to have a slight bend at the tip? this might have happened during writing, but since you mentioned the capping/threading, were it me, I'd be careful capping the pen, don't force anything - if the cap is askew it might damage/bend the nib. The person restoring the pen should be able to make all of this right.

 

Also, you may want to look at old family photos. If you find someone with a chain going to a vest pocket, that's the likely original owner.

 

No, the pen tip (nib?) doesn't seem to be bent to me. Just the angle of the photo. But you'd know better. Want closeups of the pen tip?

And I think the black part of the pen is indeed hitting the "inner" lid, before the pens is all the way in, before it even engages the threaded section. Would that make sense?

 

Thanks,

Ryan

I do not have a crescent filler ( I wish ) so not your expert here. A simple resac of a Wahl ringtop is $20-25ish, again it sounds as if yours needs both sac, and cap liner? so that would add to cost.

Someone familiar with Crescent fillers will chime in with more direction, and suggest someone who restores.

Also this may have a nice semi-flex nib.

Very nice set : )

 

 

 

 

[raptor0192]

By the way, that 5th picture down in my previous post with images shows the tiniest of dents on the pencil. Very hard to capture it. Can just see the light reflecting awkwardly, right in the very center of the picture.

[raptor0192]

the bladder is certainly gone. There are a few other parts in there to press the sac down creating a vacuum in the sac and as it fills it pushes the crescent back up.

 

The cap issue can be several things, the inner cap shrunk over time, cross threading ...

 

All the issues can be addressed and it is a set well worth restoring.

 

It was actually pretty tough getting the crescent back up to put the ring back beneath. How is the bladder replaced? Or can't it be done easily?

 

Inner cap shrinking? What is it made of? How is that fixed? It's almost like the pen is bottoming out in the lid, but it shouldn't be.

 

Thanks,

Ryan

 

It's very likely that the non-metal parts on that pen are hard rubber and OLD hard rubber. It's not a pen I'd suggest as a good candidate for learning on. But it is also not a very expensive repair project. I'd suggest that you send it to one of the better fountain pen restorers.

 

Well, how much does "not very expensive" mean? Sounds expensive to send out for restoration and repair....

 

Probably $25.00-35.00.

 

That's not too bad, I guess. But how much is this thing even worth? How much are new ones? I don't particularly like the look of this one. And I guess I don't really need to use an antique to write with. I don't collect them, after all. Maybe I'd be better off selling this set, and buying something I'd actually like? Or maybe it's not worth much since it needs the repairs? Again, no idea at any of this....

 

Thanks,

Ryan