Watermans Crusader

[Malcy]

I really like these 1940s Waterman's. They sit in between the vintage styling of the 1930s models and the progressive modern styling that came in the 1950s. This is the Crusader, the lowest in the model range which sold for $5 at the time. It was made in England and has a model number 575, my Taperites are model 877. I was really surprised to find out when I received it that this pen has never been used and is in as new condition.

 

 

As you can see it comes in a lovely chocolate brown which is a superb match to the gold anodised aluminium cap and the other gold fittings. The clip is the standard art-deco type that Waterman used across the range at the time but is none the worse for it. I don't know if it is because it is the lowest in the range but the construction doesn't feel as good as my Taperites. The section has shrunk slightly being loose in the barrel (easily fixed). The aluminium cap will be very easily marked and the clip just doesn't feel terribly solidly fixed.

 

 

The pen is middle sized, 131mm capped and 157mm posted. The barrel is long enough for it to be comfortable to use uncapped and the section is not too narrow to hold comfortably. As the construction is mostly plastic and aluminium, the weight is not heavy but it does not feel lightweight either.

 

 

The pens in this range came in hooded and open nibbed. This model is open nibbed with a 14CT gold nib. The nib is semi flexible and a medium. It writes with nice line variation and is very smooth. Waterman nibs of this period always seem to be winners, at least the ones that I have tried. This pen comes with the typical lever filler system and is none the worse for it. I had to replace the ink sac as the original was solid but that was a straightforward task.

 

Searching ebay brings up pens that everyone goes for, you know the P51s and snorkels for example. However, there are often pens that come up that are just as interesting and often as good or better writers but which seem to gather little or zero bids. It's fun to see what you get from these auctions, with the appropriate research. Sometimes you get a lemon but the loss is not great if you keep a cap on spending. More often than not the pens are very nice, interesting and usually under appreciated. These Waterman's are a good example. This Crusader is just as good a writer as the Waterman's 515 or W5 and I think just as good looking. However the 515/W5 will get bids two to five times higher than I paid (under £20). I paid at the top end of what these pens seem to go for as it was a nice example but I think that it was great value.

 

So a very nice pen in superb condition which writes beautifully. Will I keep it, you bet I will. .

[carroll]

Beautiful! I'm starting to check Ebay for these models, too. Good to hear the nibs are nice ones. Looks like a winner.

[jandrese]

Good looking pen, I've never seen one. Thanks for sharing.

[Aysedasi]

I've just bought one of these. Waitoing for it to arrive from the States. If it looks half as good as this one, I'll be pretty pleased.

[breaker]

nice review and pics!

thanks!

[rwilsonedn]

+1 on your respect for middle-aged Waterman pens. My beat-up Waterman Commando just came up in the rotation this weekend, and I am reminded again of what a solid pen it is, and what a really excellent semi-flex nib it has. From the few samples I've seen, all of the Waterman pens of this period are pretty remarkable.

ron

[Montblanc owner and lover]

nice waterman.Effectively it seems in perfect conditions...actually

[branodncooley92]

nice review

[ralfstc]

I have a Waterman Crusader made right here in Montréal in the 1940s. Definitely nothing fancy looks wise, but an amazing writer with a lovely nib and, well, local!

 

Respect to mid-range Watermans!

 

Ralf