Swan Eternal Lapis 6 Blue On Blue Restoration

[Greenie]

The ETN 46 size in blue is the largest size of the rarest color of the Swan Eternal. And ever rarer, since it is usually blue with white flecks. Blue on Blue Lapis is uncommon for most pens. The clip had been yanked off, destroying the cap part that holds the clip, bending the retaining bar, and enlarging the slits too big and into irregular ugly shapes. The inner cap was also cracked and broken.

To restore the pen, I had to pull the inner cap. It came out in pieces. Next task was fill the celluloid at the clip area to get the lateral edges smooth rather than wide and ragged. The I recut slits on my micromill. I made a new inner cap (crazy gluing the 4 pieces of the old one together to give me a model and something to measure....). It was so pretty and perfect, with a nicely milled slot on the outside of the inner cap to make room for the clip inside. Too bad that no one will ever see or appreciate the hidden inside work that had to be done. Fortunately, I had a worn #6 ETN in black, and oddly enough, I dropped right on the edge of a wastebasket and broke the barrel in two last month! And that was before this blue wreck went up for sale. So I guess that the whole process was meant to be. I had a spare clip and nib just sitting around waiting for a new home.

Sometimes I am just feeling proud of myself and need to show it off!

[christof]

Great job!

...and beautiful pen.

C.

[SomersetSwan]

Fabulous work Greenie, this deserves a blue riband!

[Cob]

That's a tremendous job with a glorious result. Well done.

 

Cob

[Greenie]

I failed to include the best picture of the damage!

 

[gweimer1]

Nice!

[Azuniga]

What a job ! And such a rare pen... that particular blue from Swan Eternal is really unique.

 

You were right to be proud and show it, thanks !

[chunya]

What can I possibly add .... superb job, beautiful pen!

[inkstainedruth]

Every time I see a picture of a vintage Lapis pen (no matter the brand) I go all weak in the knees. Congratulations on a job well done.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[CS388]

Magnificent job!

 

It's a beauty! Congratulations.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[dannyboy]

That is indeed a marvelous job of restoring a pen! A true beauty now through your capable restoration! Bravo!!!!