Hello,

I am new to FP's, and know very little about restoration. A family friend, whom we call auntie, has a P51 FP/BP set given to her as a bridesmaid gift in 1952, and the FP needs restoring. I've had a little look and when you take off the metal squeeze casing the rubber sac is all twisted, and won't fill. The nib looks ok.

She wants me to get it restored courtesy of someone here, as she feels they would be trustworthy. Can anyone recommend a restorer in the UK who would charge reasonable charges? She only has her pension, and I am disabled and cannot afford to carry the cost for her.

Many thanks

Tawanda

Some possibilities (sorry, I've only just seen your posting):

• The Highlo Pen Museum http://www.penmuseum.co.uk/repairs.htm
  I've been very happy with work I've had done by Peter. His late father was a guru of pen repair.
• The Pen Practice http://www.old-pens.co.uk/
  He and Jim Marshall wrote the sequel to "Da Book". "Da Book" was the standard work on pen repair - "Pen Repair" is an impressive successor.
  Unfortunately, I see his site now says:
  "12 November 2008 I am closed for repairs until further notice. I am overwhelmed!!
  Any unsolicited parcels will be returned - sorry for any inconvenience (business as usual for sales of books and pens)"
• Old Pens http://www.old-pens.co.uk/
  I've no direct experience but he's been around a long time.
  Others I've come across but have had no experience of:
• Pen Box http://www.penbox.co.uk/repairs.htm
• Heritage Collectables http://www.heritagecollectables.com/repairs.htm
• Battersea Pen Home http://www.penhome.co.uk/penrepairs.htm
• Pen Friend http://www.penfriend.co.uk/repairs.html

If you are on a tight budget, I'm afraid you will have to check out prices with individual repairers as most will only give a quote when they have seen the pen.
The latter two contacts are probably rather up-market compared to the earlier names, so I would be inclined to start with the names at the top.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

Tom