Help Picking Nib

[Mookli]

Greetings all,

I am a sucker for a unusual pen, or a basket case, This one was both!

But..... because it was a rather well built pen in the first case, it write again.

It is a Traco, commonly mistaken for Craco, (due to the script "T" on the logo).

Traco was made by Trautsch & Co. Pforzheim, Germany.

I am guessing 1940-1950

Piston filler

Celluloid and hard rubber.

900 silver overlay Barley-corn pattern.

 

The body work went well, I made a new blind cap to match. (yes with lapis lazuli inlay)

The piston filler will need some parts made, (next week)

 

My question to the group is what nib should I use.

The feed that came with the pen is a Christmas tree design, looks like the right diameter.

It is a 5mm, (.179") and kind of small for the size of the pen.

 

I doubt I will find a Traco nib, what other nibs would be close to the period and a reasonable replacement.

 

Tropen ?

 

Thanks

Mark

 

Note the nib it came with is a junker!

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Traco/i-hX9ffFH/0/XL/Traco%20parts-XL.jpg

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Traco/i-zDCqJZt/0/XL/Traco%2002-XL.jpg

 

 

 

[Mookli]

Sorry for the typo, should say , It will write again, !!

And because we like pictures...one more

 

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Traco/i-7Bz4dkQ/0/L/Traco%2001-L.jpg

[linearM]

One person who might be able to help you on this one is: https://munsonpens.wordpress.com . Phil does a lot of pen restoration. On FPN he is philm.

[Misfit]

I can't help on the nib question, but your pen looks great.

[Leftytoo]

I have had good luck adapting Kaweco Sport nib/feed units to old pens. If the pen's section is big enough, bore it out (using 220 or 320 grit wet paper on a dowel) to accept the Kaweco complete unit (sleeve, feed, nib). If the section is smaller, bore it out to take the Kaweco feed and nib. If the section is really meaty, I would use a complete screw in Bexley nib unit. I have done these adaptations with both piston fillers, and with pens whose sections could be unscrewed, allowing placement of an ink cartridge. Both the Bexley nib unit and the Kaweco complete pen can be had for $25 or less. The quality is much better than the old nibs and feeds they replace. Another feed/nib unit of quite small diameter is the inexpensive Cross: note that it unscrews from the pen.

When using a Kaweco unit, it must slide in with exactly the same pressure as its fit in the Kaweco pen. If you enlarge the bore too much, build it back up with some shellac layers. The shellac must dry completly before assembling the pen.
Bob

[Mookli]

I have had good luck adapting Kaweco Sport nib/feed units to old pens. If the pen's section is big enough, bore it out (using 220 or 320 grit wet paper on a dowel) to accept the Kaweco complete unit (sleeve, feed, nib). If the section is smaller, bore it out to take the Kaweco feed and nib. If the section is really meaty, I would use a complete screw in Bexley nib unit. I have done these adaptations with both piston fillers, and with pens whose sections could be unscrewed, allowing placement of an ink cartridge. Both the Bexley nib unit and the Kaweco complete pen can be had for $25 or less. The quality is much better than the old nibs and feeds they replace. Another feed/nib unit of quite small diameter is the inexpensive Cross: note that it unscrews from the pen.

 

When using a Kaweco unit, it must slide in with exactly the same pressure as its fit in the Kaweco pen. If you enlarge the bore too much, build it back up with some shellac layers. The shellac must dry completly before assembling the pen.

Bob

Thanks for the tips, I will pick us some to have on hand for just such cases.

When using the whole nib/feed assemble do you cut the threads, of just friction fit.

 

In the mean time I am using a generic USA 14k medium I found in my junk box. It was the right size and fit without problems.

There is not much room in the cap, so cant go much bigger.

If I don't like it, I'll swap it out later

M

 

 

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Traco/i-RQ56s3V/0/X2/traco%20pen-X2.jpg

 

http://www.maryhatay.com/Mark/Fountain-Pens/Traco/i-QCVSWTG/0/L/nib-L.jpg