Sterling Silver Mechanical Pencil - How To Fill?

June 26, 2017

I've just come across this pencil - from a small amount of searching on the internet I think it is circa 1930s. It has no lead in it - anyone have an idea of which type of lead it needs and how to fill it?

Many thanks.

I have that same pencil, but it appears to be blocked. What is the best way to unblock it please? Would a drill bit and a hammer be ok?

Thanks

June 27, 2017

Thanks for posting about this, it reminded me that I have a little Wahl pencil to see to. This is how you fill one. You'll need a standard 1.1 mm (.046") lead and you feed it in from the nose. Twist the top of the pencil back clockwise as far as it will go and stuff the lead in as far as it will go, snap off the remainder.

If the nose is bunged up with old lead that won't come out, twist the pen top anti-clockwise fully and pull everything out of the barrel. If you have a long pin or needle that will fit in the nose try clearing things that way. If the nose is solidly blocked you might have to use by hand, an ultra-fine drill bit or other metal object (darning needle?) and gently tap it into the nose. With luck the blockage will fall out.

Remember, Wahl pencils (like Autopoints) only expel the lead. To retract it, turn the head of the pencil clockwise and manually push the lead back.

February 12, 2018

Hi! I managed to refill one of these nice pencils with Retro 51 mine but still it falls out. Is it possible the nose has lost the grip? I read somewhere some hints about thicken a bit the mine with some hair product spry or something to make it grip... any clue?

Thanks!

February 13, 2018

I've just read up about Retro 51 lead and it should fit, but who knows what's been done to your pencil in the past. I'd try a bit of hair-spray, or even clear nail-polish. Just make sure it's thoroughly dry before you try to load the pencil again.