? Transitional Sj ?

[kathleen]

In the final minutes of an auction on ebay I won this trio. I bid because the flat bottom of the Esterbrook meant Transitional and I thought that it would easily be worth $15+ shipping, especially if it turned up with any kind of a nib. Today the package arrived and I'm confused.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/...IT#ht_500wt_963

 

This blue Esterbrook measures just 4 1/2" compared to my red 3 rib Transitional measuring 4 7/8". This blue is also slender by comparison.

I have been reading The Fountain Pens of Esterbrook by Paul Hoban and have visited Esterbrook.net. I find no mention of a Transitional SJ

What is this blue pen? the cap is the newer style jewel, and definitely a match to this pen's barrel, both are nearly navy in color with similar streaks and ripples. The nib was 9668 with the smooth underside consistent with the wartime design; 1943-1950.

 

On it's companions, poor things, the mechanical pencil/pen has a feed but no steel nib above it. How would this be remedied?

The Wearever has an original pliable sac and interesting looking two-tone nib with smooth under side.

 

I am sure someone here knows exactly what I've got. So,...

 

What have I got here? I'm confused.

Edited September 8, 2010 by kathleen

[penguinmaster]

I think you've nailed it. I've had one or two of those myself. In my opinion (which holds no water honestly), it has to be an intentional model. It's to short to call it a variance of a normal "j" model.

 

-Tom

[FarmBoy]

The pens are:

 

Packard combo FP/MP

Esterbrook Trans-SJ

Wearever Pennant

 

Packard has a broken clip as well as a missing nib.

Esterbrook looks complete.

Wearever looks complete.

 

I most likely would not mess with fixing the Packard.

Standard rebuild on the Esterbrook.

Wearever nib is suppose to have the slit cover but they tend to break off easily so leave it alone. The sections on these are also brittle and like to crack so don't knock the nib and feed out unless you absolutely need to. They can often be good writing pens.

 

You can use a #16 sac in all of them.

 

Todd

[OcalaFlGuy]

And whatever you do, don't even THINK about removing the Wearever section without heat.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Rabbit]

Todd, is the Wearever slit cover supposed to keep the nib from drying out as fast, or is it used to brace the nib tines on a flexible nib to make it more stiff?

 

--Stephen

[Federalist Pens]

Kathleen,

 

Yes, I had two of these Trans SJ pens myself earlier this year.

I find them too small for me(SJ pens in general), so I did sell them.

Nice pens, and not easy to find!

 

Frank

[kathleen]

Just spent the evening playing "Pen Doctor". Thanks for the advice, Bruce. Operating on the Wearever, I was very careful and warmed the section and barrel, using a blowdryer, before I firmly grasped each piece and pulled them apart. The Wearever nib is cleaned, and I installed a new sac. (Note to self: down to only 2 more #16sacs, order more, wish I'd saved this sac for an Estie). This Wearever nib reads FLEXFI on one side and 8362 US on the other. Operation complete, this pen is very disappointing. It doesn't write smoothly like an Esterbrook with a 9xxx series nib with iridium tip. Very scratchy, poor flow.

Who would buy this pen when they could have a pretty Esterbrook? I feel like I've just taken on an ugly stepchild. I really don't like it. (Though it would be better-off if it were a child, as I love little children pretty or not and cherish them all.

Also played "Pen Dr." with the Estie.

The Transitional SJ is a beautiful little pen, has also received a new sac, came with an old smooth feed 9668 nib and writes wonderfully.

I'll leave the Packard fountain pen/mechanical pencil with broken clip as is, as Todd suggested I do.

Edited September 9, 2010 by kathleen

[FarmBoy]

Todd, is the Wearever slit cover supposed to keep the nib from drying out as fast, or is it used to brace the nib tines on a flexible nib to make it more stiff?

 

--Stephen

I've had Pennants with and several without the over-feed, most likely broken off but they all seemed to work fine. I'm guessing it was more of a marketing thing than functional but I have no evidence to prove this. I also don't have any Wearever's in working order, they just go in a box. Once and a while I put one together and carry it. I usually end up giving it to someone as a first pen.

 

Todd

[Hobiwan]

Yep, it's a "SJ" sorta transitional. Have a black one currently, used to have all colors. Ya don't see too many of them in the wild. Nice catch.