Hello all:

I placed this on the Questions and Repair Forum, but I thought I would also post it here.

I just purchased a 1903 Waterman 52 on the bay. One of the tines on the nib, however, is broken, which is why the pen was so inexpensive. I've seen on various sites that tips can be re-tipped. In your opinion, is this a good idea? Will it be stable? How much do you imagine a re-tipping and overall cleanup and repair of this pen might run? Just a ballpark figure if you have one in mind. Knowledge is always a good thing to have in cases like this.

Any other suggestions? Would you re-tip this pen or simply buy a "new" vintage nib for it? I've heard the nibs on the 52 were more flexible than not. Is this the case? I've been looking for a flexible pen.

As you can see, I'm a novice at all of this. Any help and/or advice you could provide would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Todd

IMHO, you would be happier to find a vintage replacement on that particular pen. It would likely run$25 -35 less depending. Ask around to see if you can pick one up for $35-45 dollars. Richard Binder or John Mottishaw or Greg Menuskin (probably quickest at this time) may have one in stock. If you cant find one, these guys can fix yours or advise you.. I'd be happy to send you a loaner while you wait for the repair.

I have a 52 in olive ripple that I love! It's my favorite...besides my other favorites!

Be blessed ~
pb2

You may have a 52, but 1903 sounds a bit early- perhaps one of the patents is 1903, but the pen is almost certainly a later pen. (By later I mean probably late 1910s or 1920s, by no means anything near "new").