I came across an Esterbrook today and from the reading I've done it's a LJ, double jewel in red with a 2668 nib. The sac is workable as I was able to draw up water, flush, test for leaks, ink and use shortly after getting it home. The previous onwer must have used the pen with it turned away from them when writing as it's smoothest in that position and seems to have a slight oblique slant from use rather than being ground that way.

The section is cracked close to the nib yet it doesn't leak from the crack and the nib can be removed and threads back in smoothly.

If I read correctly the double jewels came about in 1948.

Is there a way to narrow the date of this pen down to a particular year?

When did LJ production stop?

The lever doesn't want to stay flush when closed and falls free just a bit when the barrel is tuned upside down, otherwise not a problem when using. Is that a sign of the mechanism being on its last leg?

Thanks in advance for replies.

I've heard that one can narrow down the date an LJ was produced because of minor changes in the pocket clip; however, I've never been able to confirm this nor have I ever been able to find any reference information that would actually give this information.

I believe the LJs were last produced in 1958 (at least, I think that's when they stopped appearing in Esterbrook ads).

Your floppy lever is an indicator of a few possible problems. It could be that the jbar is on its last legs or that the jbar isn't positioned properly - these are the problems that I would put at the top of the "likely cause" list.

The cracked section should probably be replaced at some point .. my experience has been that these cracks only get worse.

Feel free to PM me if I can be of any additional help.

Todd

In regards to the lever, is it spoon shaped at the end or does it have sharper edges?

I would say it's spoon shaped.

Farmboy gave the following information in another thread:

"Smooth spear pointed (early pens), smooth flat ended (say ~1938ish), grooved flat ended ( early 40s) and grooved spoon ended (the last version). The problem is levers are easily changed and very well may have been changed along the way at a repair station.

There are also levers with one hole and levers with two holes for the retainer ring.

The clip style can also give you clues as to year as well as the jewels and the color of the body."


Hope this helps.

Todd