After getting a scrumptious deal on a 1945 Parker 51 Vacumatic ($5), I knew it would need a little TLC before it could be put into service. It was just about that same time that I happened upon a post of Dennis Lively's advertising that he had some availability for restoration work if necessary.
I sent him an email and got a quick reply, and we started the conversations from there. Dennis was terrific to work with, and turned my pen back around to me much quicker than I would have expected, given the holiday season, a fluke blizzard that shut down the eastern half of Missouri, and a sickness that probably should have had him bed-ridden.
When it came back, the pen was in just beautiful condition, and thanks to a little of his fine-tuning, this pen is a wonderful addition to my collection. It's turned out to be a wonderful writer, and I find myself carrying it nearly every day.
I wish I had thought to take before/after pictures, but unfortunately, I really don't have anything worth showing you. The pen wasn't a basketcase by any stretch, but factually speaking, it had a barrel crack that I couldn't see, a bad filling unit, and a bent clip that needed work. Dennis did a fantastic job of restoring this pen, and I wanted to make sure that his efforts didn't go un-noticed.
Thanks Dennis...you did a terrific job and I look forward to sending a few more pieces in your direction when I find them. The Esterbrook SJ that we talked about will be on its way to you sometime soon, along with the 2442 nib so you can take a gander at it!
And, it goes without saying...I have no affiliation with Dennis other than to consider myself a very happy customer.