Gold Plated Cap Band On A Dollar Pen?

[jdllizard]

Did Esterbrook ever put gold plated/filled bands on dollar pens? Or could it be that they were brass and all the plating is gone?

 

[Hobiwan]

I'd guess the latter. If they plated or "gold-filled" the band, they'd do the same for the clip, sez me. Brian shows a gold-plated "Relief 90", but that model has the earlier "notch-clip" and is English-made.... http://www.esterbrook.net/relief90.shtml

[jdllizard]

I'd guess the latter. If they plated or "gold-filled" the band, they'd do the same for the clip, sez me. Brian shows a gold-plated "Relief 90", but that model has the earlier "notch-clip" and is English-made.... http://www.esterbrook.net/relief90.shtml

 

But he also shows a Relief 66 with a silver clip and gold colored band?

[Hobiwan]

But he also shows a Relief 66 with a silver clip and gold colored band?

 

Right you are (I didn't go past the 90). But again, if you notice the clip at the top of the 66, it's cut in a bit or "notched", where it bends from the top. Yours "cascades" into the bend smoothly from the top. The "notchclip", as I like to call it, is the second variation following the "V-clip". Yours is the later "standard" dollar clip.

That said ...

You can tell gold-filled from brass simply by seeing if it tarnishes over time after polishing. Gold holds the polish better. From your photo, if I weren't looking at an Esty, I'd say it was a GF band with "plating wear" (but that may just be the lighting). The way I'd be sure would be to polish it with simichrome, then look closely with a loop. The wear would show as lines or rough spots in an otherwise smooth band, usually around the edge, where the band gets lots of rubbing against the pocket. Then later it would start tarnishing where the gold was worn off. You might try that. If it stays nice & smooth and bright and holds the shine without tarnishing, then disregard everything I said above.

[jdllizard]

Right you are (I didn't go past the 90). But again, if you notice the clip at the top of the 66, it's cut in a bit or "notched", where it bends from the top. Yours "cascades" into the bend smoothly from the top. The "notchclip", as I like to call it, is the second variation following the "V-clip". Yours is the later "standard" dollar clip.

That said ...

You can tell gold-filled from brass simply by seeing if it tarnishes over time after polishing. Gold holds the polish better. From your photo, if I weren't looking at an Esty, I'd say it was a GF band with "plating wear" (but that may just be the lighting). The way I'd be sure would be to polish it with simichrome, then look closely with a loop. The wear would show as lines or rough spots in an otherwise smooth band, usually around the edge, where the band gets lots of rubbing against the pocket. Then later it would start tarnishing where the gold was worn off. You might try that. If it stays nice & smooth and bright and holds the shine without tarnishing, then disregard everything I said above.

 

I now notice the top of the clip says Esterbrook not Relief. I think I'll pass on this one. But thank you for the help, much appreciated.

[WillAdams]

The first Dollar Pen I picked up had a similarly worn band which is definitely brass (and was described as such by the seller). The second has a nickel or steel plated brass band.