A Fine Sterling Silver Touchdown Imperial Found In A Stall...

[Quintane]

Looking for Esterbrook pens made in Mexico (see https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/269966-trying-to-enliven-an-esterbrook-pen/) in La Lagunilla market in Mexico City last Sunday, I found this pen in one of the stalls full of small antique objects and/or second-hand stuff of every kind imaginable. The nib was a sort of extra-fine, and this convinced me to give it a serious thought. Because in fact I have never liked a lot this kind of engraved silver pens, and it had this touchdown system that I have never used. But I knew it was an Imperial, and therefore there was a chance it could write like the Sheaffer nib I lost last January (see https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/267147-why-i-am-here-or-just-another-tragic-story/). Well, I charged it with water, and everything seemed in order, so I payed the 800 mexican pesos (+/- 62 US) that the seller accepted to receive after he initially voiced 1,000 (+/- 76).

Now, the pen needs some polish, and the mouth if the cap is not perfectly round, so it does not close in every angle with the same ease. A close look at the nib reveals that it has a lot of use, and also that it was submitted to some manipulation (like an attempt to polish it with a hard abrasive). The main issue is that the nib is too wet, so wet that it is hard to appreciate the thinness of the line it produces, and it also skips a little. The touchdown system charges well, but I don't know if it is normal that it takes only about .5ml of ink. I don't notice any variation when I do two or more "pumps".

I am very happy with this purchase, even though the pen might need a little help from my friends...

[Tylerjordan]

That is a very nice pen indeed! I'd love to have one like that; I'm sure it'll clean up wonderfully, although now it comes down to whether you like the patina or want it factory-shined!

 

About the ink capacity: do you let the sac re-inflate under water at least 10 seconds?

 

Secondly, I found that a quick fix is the fill it once and then turn the pen nib-up and give it a small flick and then operate the touchdown mechanism again; it should yield a full sac of ink!

[Ernst Bitterman]

The right capacity for that filler is about 0.8ml. It's probably just a matter of the o-ring in the tail being flattened from years of working against the filler tube; it would be a good idea to replace it and the sac when you have a chance.

[Quintane]

Tylerjordan, Ernst Bitterman, many thanks, Those are good hints and advices. I will take notice, observe rules and hints carefully, and see what happens.

 

About the patina, if it did not grow with my use, perhaps I prefer the pen factory-shined. Is this some kind of selfishness?...

 

Any idea about the wetness? It is really too much! Would I need a nibmeister to fix it?

 

Also, I'd like to know if this is one of those models in which the tube can be changed for converter/cartridge or not. I cannot see the way to remove it. A new photo to show it… Thanks!!

Edited August 14, 2014 by Quintane

[Ernst Bitterman]

Adjusting the flow is a little tricky with an inlaid point-- best to leave it to a (semi-)professional. That metal tube is a sac protector; it pulls of to give access to the sac for replacement, but this pen won't accept a converter nor a cartridge.

[Joe in Seattle]

Very nice find!

[kpyeoman]

+1 (and a heck of a good price for a sterling TD Imperial!)