Conway Stewart 60L - Repair Help

[jd23679]

Hi all,

 

I've recently discovered a Conway Stewart 60L in blue herringbone with a 14K gold Duro nib in a box in my loft... It's been there for a good ten years, and the last user hasn't cleaned it out .

 

Also, it looks like there might be a problem with the lever fill system, as the lever won't fold back fully onto the barrel.

 

I'm not sure what to do next... It looks like a really nice pen, and I'd love to get it restored to use, as I'm looking to try out 14K gold nibs - ironically I didn't even have to look as far as ebay... .

 

I am very well-acquainted with fountain pens, but this is one of my first forays into the Vintage world (other than my gorgeous Parker 25 with the Medium-cum-stubby nib!). I've been told that lever fills are a massive pita to reassemble, and sac replacement is complicated - should I send this off to be restored, rather than attempt myself? And if so, who's good in the pen world for restorations at a reasonable cost ? I've heard about the Battersea Pen Home, the vintagefountainpens.co.uk site, and the Pen Wizard, does anyone have any clue who I should send to? Obviously I'm looking for someone UK-based, to avoid ridiculous postage costs .

 

Thanks

[peterg]

Lever fills are fairly easy to repair provided you have patience and the right tools. Never, ever try to force the lever as the major weak spot of the pen is the tab you put your nail under to operate the lever. If forced it will bend and break resulting in an expensive repair.

 

To the above I would add Eric Wilson (Eckiethump), Carneil Pens and Henry Simpole. I'm not sure whether Paul (northlodge here) does commercial repairs.