Broken Nib Collar?

[Marcwithac]

I need some repair guidance. I was cleaning a vintage Pelikan 100 last weekend. After soaking the nib and section, I tried to remove the nib unit. However, instead of easily unscrewing, the nib slid sideways along the section so they were no longer aligned. I immediately stopped and, using gentle pressure, re-aligned the nib and feed. Does what happened indicate that the collar is broken? If so, is there another technique (besides thumb and index finger) I can use to safely remove the unit without damaging the nib or feed?

[DrCodfish]

More soaking (consider pen cleaning fluid) more flushing, an ultrasonic bath and gentle application of heat,(think heating pad). Rinse and repeat (are you sure this is a threaded nib?)

[Marcwithac]

I believe this pen is from the late 1930s. Anyone know whether those nib units were not threaded? That would certainly explain the difficulty I had.

[sargetalon]

The collar is most likely stuck in the section from dried ink. Not an uncommon issue. These need a lot of TLC with repeat flushes/soaks. Go slow and be gentle with it. Don't force it. If it's hard rubber, don't soak it in water as that will discolor it.

[Marcwithac]

So I applied more TLC. While I have not yet been able to remove the nib unit, I did finally loosen the turning knob, which had been stuck. Unfortunately, ink seems to be leaking from the knob, especially when I turn it clockwise to contract the piston. I guess there is a bad seal. Is this hard to fix?

 

Adding some photos of the pen.

[sargetalon]

Fixing the seal depends. The two chick cap means 1937 and later production. Cork would have been used for the seal from '37-42. After 1942, a black synthetic seal was employed. Both can fail over time. If its a cork seal, you will need to disassemble, clean, and install new cork. If it's a synthetic seal, you will have to get a replacement. First step is to determine which you have. If you're not experienced, it may be best to find someone who can restore it to functional status.

[trhoton]

It sounds like your collar is broken - I've run into this same issue. Many of these old collars were made of polystyrene which cracks and fails over time. More info here: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/pendoctor/22.htm

 

Replacements are available (as are new feeds). Check here: http://www.custompenparts.co.uk/pelikan/94-pelikan-compatible-connector.html

 

There's also a FPN member who manufactures collars, he can be reached at: francis.goossens2@skynet.be He's posted about this issue before.

 

I hope this is helpful,

 

Tom

[sargetalon]

It sounds like your collar is broken - I've run into this same issue. Many of these old collars were made of polystyrene which cracks and fails over time. More info here: http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref/pendoctor/22.htm

 

Replacements are available (as are new feeds). Check here: http://www.custompenparts.co.uk/pelikan/94-pelikan-compatible-connector.html

 

There's also a FPN member who manufactures collars, he can be reached at: francis.goossens2@skynet.be He's posted about this issue before.

 

I hope this is helpful,

 

Tom

 

 

Polystyrene was a product of the 50s and 60s. Its use was largely limited to the 400NN, 120, and 140. The 100 in question here was discontinued long before the use of polystyrene in collar manufacturing.