I'm sure I've seen it somewhere, can anyone point me in the direction of an explanation of the Waterman's pen numbering system, please.

I remember it was way more logical than the Conway Stewart 'system'!


Many thanks



Greg

Waterman Nomenclature went through three phases. Pre 1902 (ish), 1902- 1916, 1917+, before starting to degenerate in the 1920's. I gave some info to Richard on this to supplement his own research. Believe he put together a nice profile on his website.

Some basics:

For most of the eras just cited, pens have two number in the core model. let's call 'em the TENS spot and ONES spot. A number like, say 25 has "2" in the tens spot and 5 in the ones.

For most pens during these three eras, the final number indicates nib size and reflects overall pen size. Larger nibs generally not always have larger pen to go along.

The first number (generally, there IS a first or TENSspot number) indicates a great deal about contour or function of pen.

Earliest pens had no number in tens spot as there were no series to differentiate. Just one type pen with variable nib size.

So that pen if had "2" nib was just a waterman #2. Four size nib, Wat #4 etc.

These pens were so called straight cap (cap flush to barrel. flat both ends. indented section).


Then came along taper caps and cone caps. Confusing. Taper caps are pointy caps otherwise similar to the first pen. These had a "2" in tens spot.

So, taper cap with 4 size nib was a 24.

Cone cap (easier to call slip cap maybe) is not a taper cap and NOT cone shaped on outside. Flat topped rather but wider than cap and designed to slip onto matching smooth gripping section. Most commonly found of the early pens. These had "1" for first number. if say $6 nib, this would be a #16 waterman.

Then there were the desk pens of the 40's series-. If number 8 nib, a 48 etc, not to be confused with 1917 reuse of that number.

OK by 1902 or so, if we use X for variable as to nib size, had plain -X pens (straight cap original pen, nib size is whole name), the 1X pens (cone cap flattop), the 2x pen (taper cap).

Then things get weird. 1902-1916 rather than intro'ing new TENS-spot numbers for new styles pens, we get suffixes. All tacked onto 1x numbers

So we get a plunger filler with a P. as in 1-x-P (if 5 nib, would be 15-p).

Safety pen with dial-a-nib and new SCREW cap (threaded cap first time). Gets an S, as in 1-x-s or if 5 nib 15-s

Sleeve filler got an SF. if 5 nib 15SF

Coin filler then lever filler 1915-1915 got a PSF (for pocket self filler) a 6 nib is 16-PSF

It was out of control

So 1917 (the straight and taper cap simple -X pens and 2X pens long gone) system was purged. renumberd.

Now...

1X back to simple slip cap (15 for 5 nib, etc)

4X for safety pen (what had been 1-x-s became 4x say with 5 nib, 15-S became 45)

5X for lever filler (1x-PSF now 5X or with 2 nib 12-PSF now 52- tadaaa one of the most common waterman pens)

7x replaced 1-x-poc (screw cap eyedropper) so 12-poc now 72.

Etc


Then we have prefix.

If the pen had whole sterling overlay, add a 4 before the 2 digit number (sterling on a 52 is 452). If half covered (barrel only) added a 2 not 4 for those pens so found.

GF overlay add 05 before the 2 digit number

Solid gold? add just a 5 before the 2 dig number, or add 3 if half covered.

Then we have barrel bands etc.

On that note, gotta sleep

d

David, many thanks. this certainly answers my inital query. the onlyt little bit remaining is the addition of 1/2, seemingly common in the 52s. If you mean Richard Binders site, I took a visit and wandering around found that this means a smaller body. Now to get into the colours.

I am particularly interested in the hard rubber materials (I suppose like most others) I find the 'Cardinal' very attractive.

Just wish I could afford one!

Thanks again, hope you slept well!


Greg

Quick link here for the vintagepens.com article:
Waterman numbering

Fabulous, thanks. I'm gettting there with all this!

Seems the colour/finish doesn't warrant a number, so a particualr number could refer to BCHR or a ripple.

All fascinating stuff.


Greg

Also note that the 3 digit numbers were not always applied evenly, especially with barrel bands. An Early 12 with two barrel bands was a 12 GM, but the GM suffix was only found in the catalog, not on the pen - that would just have a "12". This makes it much harder to tell if bands were put on at the Waterman factory, or were after-market bands applied by a jewler.

John

That is correct. Unlike UK makers' usage, Waterman model codes are color-blind!