First of all, can anyone tell me what this is? It was bought about 10 years ago, but I have no idea.Click to view attachment Now the reason I want to know is because it has always leaked and eaten into the gold trim around the section, and I decided it was time it went, although it was a pen my wife had given me so we were both very disappointed. It has already had the trim fixed once by Waterman but it still doesn't work well. And then I found the Fountain Pen Network. Bravely (I thought) I removed nib and feeder, and it all fell apart (well I didn't know it is all a 'jam' fit!). But the bottom of the feeder does not look right - what do you think and can I fix it, or do I need a new one?Click to view attachment
In hope.

I"m not a super expert, but I think it would be a safe bet that buying a new feed might fix up this problem.

Richard Binder (when he's around) might trip over this post, cuss a bit, and then come in to help. If he does it'll be for the better. He's one of the several pen-restorers who frequents this site and he should be able to help you.

Alternatively, you could go to his site (www.richardspens.com), find his email address (I can't remember what it is offhand) and send him a message explaining the problem.

Hello, Old Bean.

What you have here would appear to me to be a Waterman Le Man 100 (possibly 200, they look very similar but the 100 is slightly bigger). A full review of this pen may be found within this very network at:

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=39158

I've always thought Le Man is a mis-spelling of Le Mans, as in Les 24 Heures du Mans. But apparently it isn't. Still looks mighty odd to me written down though, mon ami.

I have neither the knowledge nor courage to disassemble a fountain pen to quite the extent that you have, but you can normally get hold of replacement nibs and / or entire head units if you really have destroyed it.

Hope this helps,
Duncan.

I am sorry I do not have a plain Le Man 100 or Le Man 200. From some aspects of the finish (hard to tell with this color cast) and the part of the feed that is visable on my pen I would venture to guess it may be a Rhapsody (what color is it).

The Rhapsody is a Le Man 200 and is approximately 5½ inches long (14cm).

My Opera is approximately 5 5/8 inches long (14.4 cm).

The bidding has ended so I do not know how long these pictures will remain on the site, but these are the best I could find of a Rhapsody.

Go to www.ebay.com and search on 370014198618.

HTH
Pat

Your pen does look like an example of the Le Man series, either a 100 or a 200 depending on the size.

There are a number of good pen meisters who can competently put the pen back in working order. If Richard is too busy, there is always Greg Minuskin, Deb Kinney, Ron Zorn or Bill Enderlin.

Good luck.

You might also scan Mr Lewertowski's site [Pen Seller in France on eBay] and see if he has a nib unit for this pen. He's grand about answering e-mails and I know he sells other nib units, Carenes for example. No affiliation, just far too much money sent to the man for pens that make me happy.

If you live in the US you can send it in to the US service center. If you still have the original papers it MIGHT be still under warranty and you could get it fixed for free. Mr. Lewertowski does have SOME nibs for sell for both the 100 and 200. I will say that getting the nib replaced/repaired is well worth it as this is my ATF and all around best writer, best pen. I have both a Le Man 100 and Le Man 200.

Also it seems there was a leaking problem on early models as mine leaked also. Recently had it repaired through the US service center and all is well.

Great progress!
Shangas and FrankB, thanks for the names of the experts.
Nibbernacker - I must protest that I have not knackered it yet, but I might if I try to put it back together! Is this perchance where your 'handle' came from - surely not? The message seems to be, call in the experts when you have worked out what is wrong - very wise I suspect. I was getting beyond myself.
tinneyp - you got it, it must be a Le Man 200 from your dimensions and the ebay picture. Mine is green.
Ghost plane and LouisA - thanks for Mr Lewertowski tip, and I'm encouraged to try getting it fixed, it sounds worthwhile.

What a lovely network. Thanks all.

I should warn that Mr. Binder has a rather large backlog of repairs at the moment, so try going to someone else before going to him. You can still send your pen to him by all means, but it might be a while before you get it back.

You're right, 19 weeks and he is very clear about it on his website. I have several names in addition to Mr Binder, but they are all in the USA, whereas I am in the UK. Do we know of anyone good in the UK?

This pen is a MINERAL GREEN MAN 200 (RHAPSODY) J.M.L.