Red Ripple 52

[Stevieraith]

This weekend my FIL surprised me with a couple of vintage pens. In there was a Red Ripple 52. It was his father's. I believe it comes from around the 1920's.

 

Significant fading on the barrel but aside from that looks in good shape.

 

Next step will be to get it restored and writing again!

 

Does anyone know anything about these? Do they have any value? Not that it is going anywhere!

 

 

 

 

[PaulS]

hi - very nice pen, and with some value which you will probably find on places like ebay. Could be my eyes, but it looks like someone has taken an abrasive to the nib - appear to be scratches toward the tip.?

If you have section pliers and some knowledge of pen renovation, this is not a difficult model to get back to working order - assuming you intend to use the pen - and some proprietary micro polish compound should give the HR some shine at least. Nib looks to be o.k. - is there any flex? You've probably seen the model No. on the flat base of the barrel.

 

Best of luck.

Edited July 1, 2019 by PaulS

[Marlow]

Looks very nice to me! There is a very slight outward bow in the lever-box which is common but it appears to be still intact. Nice-looking canadian nib could be quite flexy! What's the iridium tipping like? Is the barrel imprint faded? Plating loss is minimal so I'd say unless there are any cracks anywhere it would fetch between £75-150 depending on barrel imprint, serviced state and nib condition. The cap band is not 9ct gold I assume?

Edited July 1, 2019 by Marlow

[Stevieraith]

hi - very nice pen, and with some value which you will probably find on places like ebay. Could be my eyes, but it looks like someone has taken an abrasive to the nib - appear to be scratches toward the tip.?

If you have section pliers and some knowledge of pen renovation, this is not a difficult model to get back to working order - assuming you intend to use the pen - and some proprietary micro polish compound should give the HR some shine at least. Nib looks to be o.k. - is there any flex? You've probably seen the model No. on the flat base of the barrel.

 

Best of luck.

 

You might be right on the nib, might have been 'cleaned' at some point. It does have plenty of flex. I would like to get it working and using it.

 

The model number 52 is on the base, yes

[Stevieraith]

Looks very nice to me! There is a very slight outward bow in the lever-box which is common but it appears to be still intact. Nice-looking canadian nib could be quite flexy! What's the iridium tipping like? Is the barrel imprint faded? Plating loss is minimal so I'd say unless there are any cracks anywhere it would fetch between £75-150 depending on barrel imprint, serviced state and nib condition. The cap band is not 9ct gold I assume?

 

Yep, lever bix still intact. Nib quite flexy and tip looks work but ok. Yes barrel is faded, mainly at the section end. Band is not stamped so unsure if gold.

[PaulS]

I forgot to mention the obligatroy hair dryer - essential I have an identical 52 - you should find the section is a slip fit - not sure that's better than threading, or not.

Edited July 1, 2019 by PaulS

[Marlow]

 

Yep, lever bix still intact. Nib quite flexy and tip looks work but ok. Yes barrel is faded, mainly at the section end. Band is not stamped so unsure if gold.

 

If not hallmarked it's very unlikely to be gold. Hope you enjoy using it!

PS - look into 'micromesh' for both polishing the nib and performing some gentle DIY smoothing (using 12000 grit) in case it's a bit too toothy for you.

[PAKMAN]

How wonderful to have your fathers pen! My friend Danny Fudge (The Write Pen) restored my 54 red ripple for me, it came out looking great!