Parts Question: Best Way To Source Caps?

February 9, 2016

I have some pens without caps. I wasn't hungry it was how they came in the grab bag.

But now I'm left with what looks like a decent red transitional Estie and black J Estie without caps.

I've looked on EBay but I don't want to buy a whole pen just for the cap; I'd just repair the pen WHICH STILL LEAVES ME IN NEED OF A CAP! (and sounding like a pirate) ARGH!

February 9, 2016

Sometimes, I see, on Ebay, a seller offering an Esterbrook cap. However, more often, I see the offer of an "AS IS" Esterbrook , that doesn't work, or is damaged. This is a good source for "donor" parts.

Sometimes, it seem more expensive, but keep in mind that the parts, you do not use, can sold to others, recovering some of the cost.

February 9, 2016

Where in California are your capless pens located. I know a guy with a huge box of Esterbrooks.

Noteworthy is that a cap may end up costing you as much as a whole unrestored pen.

February 9, 2016

Just to add to Farmboy's comment. The general rule in vintage pens is that "the one that has the cap wins".

February 9, 2016

Just to add to Farmboy's comment. The general rule in vintage pens is that "the one that has the cap wins".

Is it true I once paid 3 figures for a cap?

February 9, 2016

Is it true I once paid 3 figures for a cap?

I thought it was 4 figures.

February 9, 2016

I thought it was 4 figures.

Don't tell him, he doesn't need to know what he did.

February 9, 2016

I'm in Paso Robles, about 4 hours south of SFO on the 101.

Interesting thing about caps being as much as whole pens because I have 4 random caps that I was going to start a game of guess the pen with. Although the Venus cap works well on my black J Estie (one I'm missing a cap for). Then it occurred to me that I'm not sure what pen goes with what each cap. Oh well.

Because I think every Topic should have a picture, here are the pictures of my caps...just because.

FarmBoy: if your friend is part of the network, he can private message me if he wants to part with some good caps/pens.

(l to r: Venus, Weaver, Pacific (with a P encircled with two branches of something), Federal (with USA horizontally across the top of the clip-small))