Swan Lever Fillers - What Do I Have Here?

[Daddy-O]

Hi all

 

I picked up these two interesting pens as part of a job lot recently. One is a Swan SF 230 and the other is a Swan SF 2. The SF 230 has a Swan No. 2 14 ct nib and the SF 2 has a Mabie Todd 14 ct nib. The 230 is not quite black but the gold filled trim is in great condition and the band of orange swirl sets it off nicely. The SF 2 is more brown in colour and a little faded on the cap.

 

Were these hard rubber (I assume) pens originally black? Should they be left original or can they be re-blacked? Any information on these pens would be much appreciated.

 

Mark

 

[c4bb0ose]

According to this you have a :

 

SF 230 Black (Gold band each side of lever.Gold &Brown band at cap top) Self Filler

and one of these since I cannot see colours very clearly

 

SF 2 Black H R. 1 Very Wide Self Filler

SF 2 Black Wide band each end of barrel Self filler

SF 2 Red Ripple None Self Filler

I have a fully cracked sf 2 in red ripple (Although it looks orange to me) which has a really nice and flexible nib and is missing a cap so this sort of gives me an idea of what caps I should be looking for.

Are the sacs still intact?

Edited November 28, 2014 by c4bb0ose

[Daddy-O]

No, the sacs hardened long ago. Maybe it's the SF 2 HR 1 as there are no bands at all on the pen.

 

I haven't worked on pens this old and so want to learn more about hard rubber before I attempt to do anything. I also have a Onoto 30000 series plunger filler that I will leave for the time being as well. Interesting pen, that one.

[Cob]

You will not need to be very lucky to have two splendid nibs there; many of those pens came fitted with the lovely M,T NY No 2 stubs which are gorgeous (at least the ones I have are).

 

As for reblackening BHR, there are two schools of thought about this and never the twain shall meet I suspect. I had a SF230 that had browned somewhat and left it alone; it was a handsome pen.

 

Now I have another one with no nib and no clip - also brownish, but I also have a 230B-60 (short version) and a 230-60, These are made from celluloid and are definitely black! Finally I have a 44ETN (No 4 Eternal nib) clipless (never fitted) which is BHR and amazingly still black! I must remember to keep it a) away from hot water and in the shade!

 

[Edit] I would add that working on BHR in my limited experience simply requires the same techniques for dismantling - i.e. heat - but do not soak them; this will cause severe discolouration; it's a big problem but cleaning just requires patience. As usual with BHR sections, you must clean only the interior using a cotton-wool bud, elsewhere you can clean the pens using your favourite polish, or fine abrasives like Micro-Mesh. ne thing to watch with very old Swans is the the two springs inside the barrel relating to the filling system; I had a 1920s Swan (yours date from that time) on which both of the springs were rotten and disintegrated. Replacing them was very fiddly indeed.

 

Cob

Edited November 29, 2014 by Cob

[Daddy-O]

Thanks for the advice. I might have a go at the SF 2 first.

[Cob]

Thanks for the advice. I might have a go at the SF 2 first.

Do report back when you have finished!

 

Cob

[Wet-Noodle]

Hello all, my first post.

 

I too have just managed to buy a Mabie Todd Swan 100/ 60 BHR (very excited), and then to spot spot both a Swan 200/ 60 BHR and a Mabie Todd S.F. 2 flexible BHR going for far less than they must be worth on eBay. So you guessed it .... Don't tell my wife, but I splashed out and bought the S.F. 2 . (The 200/ 60 was instantly snapped up by someone else).

 

I've wanted to get serious and improve my writing for an awfully long time, I was taught italic writing way back in the 1950s, and can base my new efforts on that and by watching Brian Sizemore's remarkable videos.

 

I really do like the look of Mabie Todd's BCHR fountain pens, and the flexible nibs are simply beautiful ... I do hope I haven't fallen for a couple of duds! My 100/ 60 has been fully restored, but I'll enjoy gently stripping, cleaning (no water Cob), and fitting a new bladder to the S.F. 2.

 

So I was interested in your post Daddy-O and in your reply Cob. I too wondered whether I should polish the hard rubber - in the same way as you remove brown oxidisation from hard rubber pipe stems? Brasso and soft cloths did the job on those.

 

Thank you Cob for your warning about the filler leaver springs. If necessary can you please recommend a place to buy or a method to make replacements?

[Cob]

Hello all, my first post.

 

I too have just managed to buy a Mabie Todd Swan 100/ 60 BHR (very excited), and then to spot spot both a Swan 200/ 60 BHR and a Mabie Todd S.F. 2 flexible BHR going for far less than they must be worth on eBay. So you guessed it .... Don't tell my wife, but I splashed out and bought the S.F. 2 . (The 200/ 60 was instantly snapped up by someone else).

 

I've wanted to get serious and improve my writing for an awfully long time, I was taught italic writing way back in the 1950s, and can base my new efforts on that and by watching Brian Sizemore's remarkable videos.

 

I really do like the look of Mabie Todd's BCHR fountain pens, and the flexible nibs are simply beautiful ... I do hope I haven't fallen for a couple of duds! My 100/ 60 has been fully restored, but I'll enjoy gently stripping, cleaning (no water Cob), and fitting a new bladder to the S.F. 2.

 

So I was interested in your post Daddy-O and in your reply Cob. I too wondered whether I should polish the hard rubber - in the same way as you remove brown oxidisation from hard rubber pipe stems? Brasso and soft cloths did the job on those.

 

Thank you Cob for your warning about the filler leaver springs. If necessary can you please recommend a place to buy or a method to make replacements?

I have a distinct feeling sir, that you are located in the 1er arrondissement ne c'est pas?

 

No worries with water with the SM100/60: it is not BHR. No worries either with barrel springs - you'd have to be very unlucky. There is just one, and the lever acts on a J-bar which shouldn't give you any trouble. If you really do need a barrel spring, PM me and I'll send you one.

 

The 200/60 is also not BHR but the SF2 is. In fact I used a pipe stem cleaner preparation on this pen with good results - it was beige when i got it. But this is the only pen on which the product has worked: it was hopeless on a SF230 cap and also useless on the Onotos I have. SF2:

 

As for Brasso, I tried this today working on some very faded Onoto parts: a filling knob and a clip screw; It sort of helped a bit only after I had worn myself out polishing the bits with various grades of Micro Mesh; I now have a sort of dark chocolate brown colour which is the best one can hope for. There is Potion No 9 from the USA but the jury is out on that one: I have a bottle and tried it on an old Waterman's barrel without much success - I think that the surface was too shiny. When I get time I'll give it another go.

 

Enjoy your pens! I am certain that you will - you have chosen a maker of the highest class.

 

Best of luck

 

Cob

[MBFan]

I picked up a Swan M, T &Co SM 205/ 60 from an antiques store for the same price as a Lamy Safari, thinking I would have to replace the sac. Turned out that it was absolutely fine, with no brassing at all to the gold plating. I adore the swan No2 nibs. Mine has a slightly oblique/stub feel and look to it.

 

Congrats on your find!

[Wet-Noodle]

Da Da Da Dum... 'allo all Paris callin'

 

Ah, Cob, so eet is yeu, Inspecteur Cluseau 'imself... Peter Sellers eat your 'art out.

 

Well, it shows how little I know about my 'new' Swans, I thought the 100/ 60 was a Firestone retread too. But noo I 'ave made a mistake init.

 

You're right, should have warned you. The Brasso trick works, but you will need a finger transplant afterwards. Thank you for your news about springs, and your very kind offer. I do hope that I won't need to pester you with that.

[Cob]

"How can an idiot become a policeman - tell me that!"

"It is simple: all he has to do is enlist."

 

Swans and Mabie Todd generally, quite a big subject - and a good choice!

 

Cob

[Daddy-O]

Sorry all, I forgot to post pictures of my SF 2 after polishing with micro mesh. It came up very nicely (please excuse the quality of the photos). Whilst it is not jet black it is pretty close with only minor discolouration on part of the cap. The nib is a joy to write with.

 

[Wet-Noodle]

Bonjour Daddy-O,

 

That looks like a beautiful job and hours of elbow grease! It's very encouraging as I sit here waiting for La Poste to deliver my S.F.2. find. Which, I suspect will need the same resurrecting treatment.

 

Isn't it satisfying to gently restore and breath new life into beautiful things? Everything is so disposable these days, it just gives me so much respect for the care that went into the manufacture of these lovely old functional items, ones that demand skill from you too to get the most out of them.

 

I took the liberty of adjusting your two photographs does your pen look more like this?

 

[Daddy-O]

Hello Wet Noodle

 

An interesting effect. There is a slight chasing to the pattern but I'm afraid there are no reddish undertones in the colour. It is pretty much as my photos show.

[Wet-Noodle]

Oh well, I'd need Photoshop on a computer to do that without removing the gold tone of your beautiful SF 2 nib. That was just a quick fiddle using an iPad app.. Nice job you've done though 10/ 10 and a gold star.

[Wet-Noodle]

Oh! Le postie arrived with guess what Cob....? One glorious, beautifully prepared MT 100/ 60. It arrived safely, was slavered over, wiped, admired and plunged into a rather ordinary Waterman's black, filled, wiped and..... It thrilled! The little nib is a wonder, really it is, the flex is all there, I just need to get to work and let it teach me how to make the most of it. Even my Parisienne wife was interested and admired it, so she should she comes from a family of important left-wing journalists!

 

Congrats on your Mabie Todd 205/ 60 MBFan, how is it going?

I've just looked again at the way I butchered your top photo Daddy-O ..... I should be shot. Put it down to excitement and over enthusiasm.... and then shoot me.

[RMN]

Oh! Le postie arrived with guess what Cob....? One glorious, beautifully prepared MT 100/ 60. It arrived safely, was slavered over, wiped, admired and plunged into a rather ordinary Waterman's black, filled, wiped and..... It thrilled! The little nib is a wonder, really it is, the flex is all there, I just need to get to work and let it teach me how to make the most of it. Even my Parisienne wife was interested and admired it, so she should she comes from a family of important left-wing journalists!

 

Congrats on your Mabie Todd 205/ 60 MBFan, how is it going?

I've just looked again at the way I butchered your top photo Daddy-O ..... I should be shot. Put it down to excitement and over enthusiasm.... and then shoot me.

 

Don't believe you.... It ain't happened without pics....

 

 

D.ick

[Cob]

Oh! Le postie** arrived with guess what Cob....? One glorious, beautifully prepared MT 100/ 60. It arrived safely, was slavered over, wiped, admired and plunged into a rather ordinary Waterman's black, filled, wiped and..... It thrilled! The little nib is a wonder, really it is, the flex is all there, I just need to get to work and let it teach me how to make the most of it. Even my Parisienne wife was interested and admired it, so she should she comes from a family of important left-wing journalists!

 

Congrats on your Mabie Todd 205/ 60 MBFan, how is it going?

I've just looked again at the way I butchered your top photo Daddy-O ..... I should be shot. Put it down to excitement and over enthusiasm.... and then shoot me.

** Surely Le facteur?!

 

Gosh! It's many a year since I have read of such overwhelming enthusiasm and delight; excellent.

 

We are now all awaiting examples of your calligraphy!

 

Meanwhile this blog may interest you: written in beautiful English by a French lady resident near Paris - she is a pen and ink enthusiast, and jolly clever too.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

Edited February 13, 2015 by Cob

[RMN]

** Surely Le facteur?!

 

Gosh! It's many a year since I have read of such overwhelming enthusiasm and delight; excellent.

 

We are now all awaiting examples of your calligraphy!

 

Meanwhile this blog may interest you: written in beautiful English by a French lady resident near Paris - she is a pen and ink enthusiast, and jolly clever too.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

 

Thanks for that link, Cob. The Lady's writings are a joy to read.

 

 

D.ick

[Wet-Noodle]

Well yes Cob Le facteur he is, but 'e is still Le postie to me!

 

My 100/ 60 is a lot of fun, what a surprise that this delicate looking writing instrument is so full of expression! At the moment I'm going for the Ralph Steadman look and slightly expect to explode the nib into a banana look-alike at any moment.

 

I think 3/ 10 for artistic expression and nul point for technical merit so far don't you?