I was wondering if anyone knew a place to check for waterman caps. I have a ad up in the classified section and am keeping an eye on ebay, but thought maybe someone would know of a better place. I need a taperite cap and a skywriter. I keep thinking as many busted taperites as there are in the world surely someone has caps.

Since it is the caps that bust first, I am afraid you are playing against the odds. Many times I have passed up a great deal on a capless pen because of this problem. Most people with a good cap are looking out for a capless pen so probably wouldn't want to sell. Though someone was on the parts board with a cap for a 58 looking for a body. I have a #8 nib and am looking for a nibless 58 to buy.

docnib seems to get all kinds of odds and ends. I would try him. Teh other option is to have a custom pen maker grind a new cap for you. It wouldn't be original, but it would be functional. Of course, it is a lot of fun to be hunting for these things. I don't know what I would do if I had all the parts and pens I want. What on earth would be the fun in that?

besides Doc, ebay is the best thing I can think of. Happy hunting. i'll let you know if I see one.

Keep an eye out and you should be able to find a busted Taperite somewhere. Ebay might be a good source - I don't think they go for that high a price, even in good condition.

What Curioti says is right on the money for HR pens though.

To further complicate the matter, unless they have a clip, most Waterman HR caps do not have imprints on them - so you have to basically find an HR cap and see if it fits and if the chasing matches. Occasionally you can get an early cap with a patent date on it (I was able to score two early caps that way), and GMM model pens (with a single gold band in the middle) often had the imprint on the cap, but most caps had no imprint other than the clip. It makes the process harder, and ebay sellers who have a stray cap will not know what they have.

I personally could use about 3 caps for 12/13/14 pens (and one of them needs to have near-perfect color).

John

(All that said, I do happen to have a 52 1/2 cap in my parts drawer.)

And I have a #7 and a 52 cap. I am still looking for a mother of pearl taperite. Most that I have seen are capless.

Waterman did make a few taperites with clips. But I think the most had none. Given that Waterman was often copied, you might get one of of an off brand that fits. But matching the amount of oxidation is a really tough challenge. You might have to refinish it. Even pens with the original cap sometimes don'tmatch, so all in all, it might not be a big deal. You might also try asking some of the big names out there to restore it and get a cap. I was oncetold that they hoard parts. Don't know if its true.