Help Identifying Vintage Waterman

[Ink Bot]

I recently bought a vintage Waterman but haven't had much luck identifying it. I'm excited to show-off my new acquisition but also hoping to get some more information. What I'd really like to know is the time period that it comes from and the model name.

 

 

The nib is a very smooth writer with some flex. It's not a wet noodle by any means, but it does give nice line variation. I would call it a Fine/Medium line when no pressure is being applied. It's hard to read in the picture because of the lighting, but the imprint on the nib reads: "Waterman's - IDEAL - Reg. US - Pat Off."

 

[Left FPN]

Looks like a 52. Is there a number on the end of the barrel.

[Ink Bot]

The bottom of the barrel is really worn; I'm guessing from many years of being stored in an upright position. There is a faint impression that I looked at under magnification and it could indeed be the number 52. Any idea about the pen's age?

[Left FPN]

Here is a good start for their history

[Cepasaccus]

The REG.U.S.PAT.OFF 52s are the later models. I would date it to around 1930 +- 3 or 4 years.

[Ink Bot]

Thanks for the great information Cepasaccus!! Learning the age of a vintage pen always blows my mind. One, that the pen still writes so beautifully after so many years, and two, thinking about the number of hands it has passed through before coming to me.

[Cepasaccus]

That is also why I love old pens.