Fend 4-Color Ballpoint

[kwolson]

I recently acquired this four-color Fend ballpoint from the 1960s. I know it takes the mini D1 refills but I can't figure out how to open it. It doesn't seem to pull apart or unscrew and I'm afraid of damage from using excessive force. Does anyone know how to open them up?

 

Thanks in advance...

 

KWO

[DanDeM]

The cap on mine slides off -with effort- revealing the four slots that hold the refills. The hard(er) part was removing the spent refills that had been in place for fifty years. When I re-seated the cap, I coated the shaft with a light wipe of Silicone grease. Did the same to the refills.

Some rubber gloves might help your grip on the barrel and cap.

Good luck.

[kwolson]

The cap on mine slides off -with effort- revealing the four slots that hold the refills. The hard(er) part was removing the spent refills that had been in place for fifty years. When I re-seated the cap, I coated the shaft with a light wipe of Silicone grease. Did the same to the refills.

Some rubber gloves might help your grip on the barrel and cap.

Good luck.

 

 

Thanks for your suggestions. On a whim, I gave the jewel that holds the clip on a bit of a turn and it loosened up. The clip and the the cap slid off smoothly, revealing the "color selector" surrounded by slightly tapered spring. At the top of the barrel I could now see a small set screw that held in the actual refills. Once that was loosened up, the refill holder slid out easily and each refill was accessible. I was impressed at its mechanical complexity and all metal construction!

 

I doubt this is the official way to change a refill, so I'm looking more carefully to see if the cap (with selector and spring still attached) can be removed as a unit. I don't see any way to avoid loosening the small set screw to get the refill holder out, though. I've never had a modern multi-color pen but I bet there is a simpler method today!

 

KWO

Edited March 5, 2011 by kwolson

[DanDeM]

Phew! What an agonizing work-around. High marks for patience, determination and resourcefulness.

 

Sounds like the cap is frozen. Once you've beheaded this Fiend (couldn't resist the opportunity for that), is there a way get some WD-40 into it? Perhaps with a syringe. It'll be messy, but there's nothing to damage and easily cleaned up once the cap is off.

 

Totally agree, a modern multi-color would probably be easier to care for, but I doubt it would have the wonderful heft. The pen just feels so solid --especially when you can't get the cap off. Doh.

 

Keep us posted.

[kwolson]

Phew! What an agonizing work-around. High marks for patience, determination and resourcefulness.Sounds like the cap is frozen. Once you've beheaded this Fiend (couldn't resist the opportunity for that), is there a way get some WD-40 into it? Perhaps with a syringe. It'll be messy, but there's nothing to damage and easily cleaned up once the cap is off.Totally agree, a modern multi-color would probably be easier to care for, but I doubt it would have the wonderful heft. The pen just feels so solid --especially when you can't get the cap off. Doh.Keep us posted.

 

 

The outer cap actually slid off smoothly - I think it is the inner color selector/spring part that doesn't separate easily from the bottom barrel. I tried to add a photo of the parts earlier but seem to have failed. Will try again...

 

Agree - love the weight and solidity so I'll put up with all the parts for now.KWO