Good Day,

I have just acquired a Doric which has a No.3 Adjustable nib. I have also heard of No.5 and No.9 Adjustable nibs.

Would someone be so kind as to explain the numbering system on these nibs, with photos if possible?

Thank you

Jim

Good question.

I've seen 3, 5, 7, 9 10. I've seen 9 and maybe 10 on largest 2nd generation Dorics. Maybe a 10 on the (larger than 2nd gen) largest late examples of 1st generation Doric.

7's on medium high line 2nd gen dorics.

Based on casual (and occasional) observation, i've seen #5 and #3 on the two sizes of 2nd generation non-seal Dorics, which also -as you probably know - seem to get non-adjustable nibs, perhaps late in the game.

I have not made a study- though you prompt me to consider doing so- just which nibs go with which pens on the late models. Suspect Syd can flesh this out a bit.

Here are a few pics of the only OS Doric in my own collection- a first gen model in Morocco- really sweet.









regards

david i
http://www.vacumania.com

The adjustable nib was intended to replace the Personal Point interchangable nib/feed assembly program by being all nibs in one. They were initially installed in Gold Seal (lifetime guaranteed) level pens. The numbers corresponded in proportion to the size of the pen including desk pens. The 3's were on small lady's pens, and on the slender desk pens. The 10 was only on the Oversized pens. The numbering system stopped when in about 1934 the second generation Dorics came out at which time there was a change-over to a more streamlined slide version when an elongated silver rounded-end slide was installed.

These nibs required a new design feed that were cut away logitudinalle to allow clearance on the underside of the nib where the slide's fastening tabs were located. While the feeds used with the adjustable nibs can be used with non adjustable nibs, the reverse is not true: adjustable nibs will not work with non-adjustable design feeds. And then there are the "ink shut-off" mechansims that were also integrated into the feed design. But that is another story.


Syd