Waterman 503 Lever Filler

[kivanck]

Has anybody info on this pen? Especially nib characteristics, flexibility etc.

[Dan Carmell]

The 503 was near the bottom of the Waterman line in England. They used a "2A" nib which appears to be a nib size used by Waterman in England and Canada for pens that held a nib a bit smaller than the regular #2. The 2A is a good nib, with the full range of size and rigid to flex options of the Waterman nibs of that time, so you can't really say any particular 2A will be flexy, fine, or otherwise--they are Waterman nibs, thus excellent unless abused!

 

This is a smaller pen, about the size of the Dauntless in the US. Very common, judging by the number of them I see on offer from the UK. Always solid and darker colors, black, blue, etc. Because it is near the bottom of the line for Waterman at the time, it is different from most Waterman models in that it has no lever box, just a lever set in the plastic barrel.

 

Dan

Edited December 12, 2006 by dcarmell

[kivanck]

Thank you very much. I coundn't get enough info on flexibility of that particular pen, so that's not for me

[wdyasq]

Thank you very much. I coundn't get enough info on flexibility of that particular pen, so that's not for me

I've been buying Watermans on eBay looking for the elusive flex-nib. If I throw out 'accountant's nib" when it is noted, I think I am hitting about 50%. My sample size is only 8 or so. I doubt I have enough to call it 'typical'. I will buy pens with missing clips, missing caps and cracked or broken caps. And, I am comfterable enough with nibs to straighten them even if they are well wrinkled. I eventually will have parts and pieces to build complete pens.

 

I haven't learned how to control a pen in each hand. It will be necessary for me to learn this if I am to use all my pens. Then I can learn to control several with each hand and my feet to use all the pens I have acquired. I will still need to sell a few pens or admit my addiction.

 

Ron