Need Some Advice On This Celluloid 149

[Paul Raposo]

Hey all.

 

Ebay listing for a celluloid 149 that needs some serious work.

 

Can the cap be salvaged, or would I need a new cap? Re-tipping is easy enough, I think.

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/261565829285?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[TLMG]

I think the thing is a wreck and that you'll spend a pretty penny making it good again. I would rather spend 100 bucks more than what you would spend in total and get a mint 50s 149 without headaches and one that will never be "refinished".

 

My two cents.

[jar]

Nice pen but way over priced. Yup, got cap shrinkage, Yup, needs retip. So deduct about $250-300 and make an offer.

[Paul Raposo]

Thank you very much for your thoughts TLMG and jar.

 

I needed some sober outside input on this, as I was looking at the pen with rose coloured glasses

[CS388]

Hello Paul,

 

I'd agree with the other members on this one.

 

AFAIK there is no cure for shrinkage - so that would mean a replacement cap. I've never seen a silver rings cap for sale.

 

I'd also wonder if that nib may need more than re-tipping? It looks as if the whole end of the nib is missing (or maybe it just has the feed fitted too far forward?)

 

Always tempting when an old celluloid 149 comes up for grabs, but I'd walk away from this one.

 

Enjoy.

[Paul Raposo]

Thank you, CS388, (I always forget your real name )

 

When I saw the listing I figured maybe it needed some piston work, but after reading the description and looking at the pictures, I hoped maybe it could be saved. But it's becoming clear this is most likely a parts pen.

 

And good point about the nib--it does seem to be missing more than just the tipping, considering it's marked as a Fine on the piston knob.

 

After downloading the pictures and cleaning them up, the pen is in a bad way.

[Tombstone]

A good example for "not everything 'old' is directly 'heritage' - sometimes it's just 'old'"...

[hari317]

Paul, consult some repair gurus like Tom W, Francis or Horst M Schrage. or request them to comment here. a celluloid 149 is worth saving at any cost no question. what is the cost of saving it and are you ready to bear it, that is the question.

Edited August 28, 2014 by hari317

[chunya]

I'm sure someone will buy it and either have it restored or do it themselves. I certainly wouldn't spend that money on a pen for spares,especially with the cap issues...... which I can't see a resolution, but others,such as Tom or Francis, may.

[Paul Raposo]

A good example for "not everything 'old' is directly 'heritage' - sometimes it's just 'old'"...

 

Good point Tombstone. Watchmaker Sir George Daniels used to say, "It's not patina, it's decay."

 

Paul, consult some repair gurus like Tom W, Francis or Horst M Schrage. or request them to comment here. a celluloid 149 is worth saving at any cost no question. what is the cost of saving it and are you ready to bear it, that is the question.

 

Thanks much for the names of these pros, Hari. Like my watchmaker used to say before he retired--Any watch can be fixed, it all depends on how much you're willing to spend to fix it.

 

I think when all is said and done, this repaired pen will cost me more than an example in better condition.

 

I'm sure someone will buy it and either have it restored or do it themselves. I certainly wouldn't spend that money on a pen for spares,especially with the cap issues...... which I can't see a resolution, but others,such as Tom or Francis, may.

 

Agreed, chunya, the cap seems to be the main sticking point in proceeding with this purchase. I know I won't be able to get it at a price that can make it worth while.