Waterman's Gamble

[Left FPN]

I have not purchased a pre 1980 Waterman for a while when this cropped up on the bay with a £110 BIN

 

The pictures were not great but it was described,

 

The mounts are set in 9ct gold fully hallmarked

The nib is gold colour

The colour of the pen is black with a wave etched design

The lid is a screw top this works fine

The pen doesn’t work

The inside crunches when gently shook.

 

The cap clip looked good but the nib did not but they do vary depending on model number and it could be replaced if not. The barrel stamp looked crisp.

 

After viewing the sellers feedback and their other listings which pointed to a bric-a-brac seller I popped in a ridiculous offer thinking it would either be rejected or a counter offer sent.

 

8 hours passed and boing, offer accepted came through.

 

We therefore have black chased hard rubber (BCHR), 2 solid gold 9ct bands, screw cap, cap-clip, lever filler, solid gold nib (size ?)....

 

What will arrive I wonder.

 

 

[sidthecat]

Interesting nib, for sure.

[Left FPN]

I am thinking short stubby accountants nib perhaps.

[chunya]

Even if you have to replace the nib (such a shame, as you say that is a terrrible photo) and give it a quick service then for a 9ct gold banded model even at the original BIN price it was reasonable .... for a 'ridiculous offer' then you've probably got yourself a steal.

[Left FPN]

A little more rummaging through my pdf catalogues, 1919/25, and it could well be a short nib something.

 

According to Vintage pens, a lever filler with 2 solid gold barrel bands = 56

 

I strongly think its 1920's.

 

 

[crescentfiller]

A little more rummaging through my pdf catalogues, 1919/25, and it could well be a short nib something.

 

According to Vintage pens, a lever filler with 2 solid gold barrel bands = 56

 

I strongly think its 1920's.

 

s-l1600 (3).jpg

 

s-l1600 (4).jpg

 

 

 

Are you sure?

 

• "Overlays and trim bands are indicated in the hundreds and thousands places (normally omitted on pens for the UK and Europe):" (emphasis in original).

Isn't a 56 a lever-filler (5) with a six-size nib (6)?

 

 

[Left FPN]

No, just taking a few wild guesses at the moment until it arrives on Thursday...hopefully.

[siamackz]

I would expect a 52. But if you are super lucky, then a 56 )

[Left FPN]

Confirmation: It is a #52 with what must be a #2 short nib which appears to be factory finished and possibly a slight italic tip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New sac applied.

 

 

 

 

 

[chunya]

As you did a Dick Turpin on the seller, it looks like you've got a nice pen there. A good buy! What year do the hallmarks give?

 

Funnily enough this week I picked up a 1926 52 with a single broad 9ct gold band (probably paid a lot more than you did for yours), and it also has a short nib. I'm just in the process of taking it apart, but unlike yours mine is faded quite badly. But having just dipped it, it writes butter smooth.

[Left FPN]

As you did a Dick Turpin on the seller, it looks like you've got a nice pen there. A good buy! What year do the hallmarks give?

 

Funnily enough this week I picked up a 1926 52 with a single broad 9ct gold band (probably paid a lot more than you did for yours), and it also has a short nib. I'm just in the process of taking it apart, but unlike yours mine is faded quite badly. But having just dipped it, it writes butter smooth.

I've had to clean the section, gold rings and buy a new sac.

 

Hallmarks,

 

[chunya]

Nice job, Force .... and yours is the same year as mine, assayed in London in 1926.

 

 

What is funny is mine has an Ideal Canada 2 nib ... but on the edge of the nib is another stamp .... 585 plus what looks like a smiley face or a Kilroy (as in 'Kilroy was here)

 

I'll add a couple of photos when I've finished.

Edited August 3, 2018 by chunya

[Left FPN]

Yes, I have a 12PSF with same nib.

 

 

So long as the section can be removed with ease these older pens are fairly simple and quick to overhaul. You cannot soak them in water so its purely a case of polish the gold bits with a rouge cloth and rub over the rest with a soft cloth.

 

 

My £80 was well spent I think.

 

[chunya]

A very nice job you've done there Force, it looks beautiful, and certainly £80 well spent..... and thanks for that photo of the Canada nib .... what an odd imprint and I'm sure someone will tell us what it means.

 

I paid a tad less for mine with commission and the % of postage for the pen. I bid on-line with a B&M Auction, and sadly in their photos it did look rough, but also looked a lot darker! With the poor colour I might just get my money back. But It's been fun doing the pen and listening to TMS

 

 

 

 

[Left FPN]

Great job there also. OK the green/grey rubber can be refinished (I have not tried it yet) but I think it ruins the patina.

 

It's also nice to see two short nibs comin along at the same time.

 

Your lever pan it in much better con than mine.

 

Hey, it's all good fun bringing them back to life.

 

My desk display is gradually filling up. I want to remove some of the more modern pens.

 

[pajaro]

Almost enough to make me bitten by the bug. Some very nice work and restoration there.

[Left FPN]

Its very satisfying to bring than back to life. I can fully recommend having a dabble.

 

Least we forget, for most, they were manufactured 30 years before we appeared on this earth. So where had they been up until that time and where have they been since.

[chunya]

I love your counter-top display cabinet (as well as the pens). They occasionally crop up at auctions, but whereas the larger counter-tops or freestanding ones tend to go for surprisingly affordable amounts (I suppose it's because who has the space for them), these smaller ones tend to demand high prices.

 

And I wholeheartedly agree with Force, it's very satisfying giving pens a new lease of life, although not always at all profitable.

 

You're not alone in valuing the patina, Force. A few years back I did buy a bottle of Pensbury Manor from the States, the price was reasonable until I realised just how much I was having to pay in import duties. I found that for the best effect a few coats were needed with a rubbing down between coats, and great care was needed to avoid a 'streaky' look to the finish, but the finished look could be impressive. But I decided never to use it on pens that I was planning to sell on, it just didn't seem right .... and as I personally don't mind that faded look as to me it adds character to a pen that I'm using, I probably still have a half full bottle somewhere.

[Left FPN]

And there's more,

 

This popped up for BIN £35

 

another for my counter top display

 

[CS388]

Steal!

 

Nice little slice of history, with the box and all. Looks like it's seen very little use?

 

Congratulations.