Help Fixing A Topless Ebonite Cap

[txomsy]

I recently bought a hard-rubber eyedropper pen that lacks the button on the top of the cap. I am still waiting for it to arrive, but while waiting was thinking on how could I fix the pen.

 

My question is thus, what would be the best, easy and affordable way to plug the button hole on the cap?

 

Now, the problem is that it is a miniature pen, "peggy pen", about which I haven't been able to find any information but, for the looks of it, must be from early 20th Century (you can see it searching for finished auctions in eBay, I'll post a review when I get it). Since it is an uncommon (at least in size) pen, I very much doubt that it will be easy to find a replacement cap button, nor do I know how it might have originally looked to do a proper restoration, so I am left with looking for a suitable minimal fix.

 

My first idea was to plug the hole with epoxy resin mixed with a suitable colour (or painting it later), but that would be likely too drastic as it would stick and be later difficult -if not impossible- to remove. I am now considering that maybe I could use shellac to lay down several layers inside and around the hole, before applying the epoxy resin. This way, the epoxy "plug" might be removable later on if a better solution comes up.

 

Now, does this seem as a sensible approach?

 

Is there a better approach I could use?

 

If laying out a shellac protective layer might work, what would be a sensible "shape" for the "plug"?

 

My first idea was to just plug the hole, but that might be difficult to remove later if it cannot be pushed out (e.g. if it the hole is threaded), so giving it a mushroom shape might be better, but that, in turn, would be too evident and obtrusive.

 

So, please, if anybody can give me any advice, I will greatly appreciate it.

Edited December 9, 2018 by txomsy

[ElimGarak]

Shellac wont work, it wont bond the pieces together with any stability.

Best bet is to find a piece of hard rubber material and have a top turned on a lathe and seal it down with some capt' tolleys creeping crack cure. This should take care if the plug issue for good. Alternately, the cap walls look thick enough to add a set of threads, thread the plug and go from there. Either way it's going to be a bit of work to get it back to snuff.

[txomsy]

Thanks, ElimGarak for the advice. I'm still waiting for it to arrive, but will certainly explore your advice as soon as I get my hands on it and can assess its actual state. I didn't know of Captain Tolleys, and it certainly looks fairly interesting.

[txomsy]

Follow up to myself. I finally got the pen and could identify it. Ot turns out is a specific model of a Salz Brothers' Peter Pan-like pen. What is missing would be a button, probably white that would have a metal ring to hang it... I originally thought it was an unknown brand. Knowing what I have in my hands helps a long way to decide.

 

I think that, if I want to respect historicity, the best would be to either have one button made on order, or just leave it as untouched as possible. I will likely be opting for the last, will look for an adhesive transparent plastic sticker that is easy to remove if desired, but allows the pen to be used without drying out. Then, as I doubt I will be able to find an original replacement, I'll eventually see if I can get one made and then reconsider which would be the proper adhesive.

 

By the way, it is an amazing pen. I'll write a review on it ASAP (likely after the Holidays).

[Chi Town]

For. what it's worth? The only place I found Cap't Trolleys material, It's a white bottle with Blue lettering and about 3 1/2" - 4" Tall, is in the UK. Google it. If you cannot find it, PM me and I'll dig up the internet address for you.......